Pittsburgh Penguins Forward Andrei Kuzmenko Takes Leave After Father’s Death
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko is taking a leave of absence from the team after his father was killed by a bear.
Youngstown, OH, September 25, 2026 — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko is stepping away from the team to take a leave of absence. The decision comes after the tragic death of his father, who was killed by a bear.
The team has confirmed Kuzmenko’s leave of absence. Specific details regarding the timeline for his return to the team were not immediately available. The circumstances surrounding the incident are deeply personal for Kuzmenko and his family.
The Pittsburgh Penguins organization has not released further information regarding the incident itself, focusing instead on supporting their player during this difficult period. The nature of the encounter between Kuzmenko’s father and the bear, including the location and exact date, has not been disclosed.
Kuzmenko, a forward, joined the Penguins in a trade. His contributions to the team have been a recent focus, but this personal tragedy will undoubtedly affect his availability moving forward. The organization is expected to provide updates on his status when appropriate and when Kuzmenko and his family are ready.
The loss of a parent is a significant personal event, and the team’s statement indicated their full support for Kuzmenko during this time of mourning and leave. Further details about the incident are not expected to be released by the team to respect the privacy of the family.
Story summarized from the original created by Rian Bossler on www.wkbn.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
