Pittsburgh Penguins ahead Andrei Kuzmenko has returned to Russia earlier than the beginning of the NHL season after his father was killed by a bear.
Kuzmenko’s father Alexander, who was an ice hockey coach in Russia, was on a fishing journey alongside the Krasnaya River in Southern Siberia with a gaggle of seven others when a bear attacked from the timber.
The 62-year-old suffered extreme facial accidents within the assault.
A member of the fishing get together referred to as for an ambulance however the dense forest made it troublesome for emergency providers to succeed in the world.
Kuzmenko was taken by river downstream for 4 hours earlier than then being airlifted to hospital, the place he was later pronounced useless.
Penguins president Kyle Dubas mentioned the crew was “deeply saddened” by the dying.
“Our deepest ideas and sympathies are with the Kuzmenko household and their family members as they grieve the lack of Alexander. We ask that the privateness of Andrei and the Kuzmenko household be revered right now,” the crew mentioned in an announcement.
“Andrei selected to be surrounded by his team-mates and follow with the crew this morning earlier than returning to Moscow to be together with his household this afternoon. Andrei and the Kuzmenko household have the total assist of the Penguins organisation throughout this time.”
The 30-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Penguins this summer season and is about to compete in his fifth season within the NHL, following earlier stints with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.
The NHL season begins on 29 September.
