CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko returned to the ice on Friday morning, marking his first practice since the tragic death of his father, Alexander, in a harrowing encounter in the Siberian wilderness.
In a poignant tribute to his father, the 30-year-old winger announced he will switch his jersey number from 10 to 62. The decision carries deep personal significance, honoring both his father’s age at the time of his passing and his mother, who was also born in 1962.
Kuzmenko, who joined the Penguins this past summer on a one-year, $5 million contract, spoke to reporters following the session. He provided a chilling account of the incident that took place last week in the remote Tyva region of Siberia while his father was on a fishing trip with friends.
“My father go permit fishing with friends, and he stayed in the water,” a visibly shaken Kuzmenko said. “And bear (stand) behind him and attack. And my father fight (the) bear one hour, 10 minutes and he still lived after two days.”
Despite the elder Kuzmenko’s extraordinary resilience in surviving the initial encounter, he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. Andrei Kuzmenko, who had traveled to Moscow for his father’s funeral, described the loss as a “big shock” that has weighed heavily on his family.
Teammates and coaching staff have rallied around the forward since his return to Cranberry Township. His presence at Friday’s practice signals his intent to rejoin the lineup as the team prepares for its highly anticipated home opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
While Kuzmenko is expected to be in the lineup, it remains to be seen how he will manage the emotional toll of the past week. His transition to No. 62 serves as a permanent reminder of the man he lost, grounding his professional career in a profound, personal mission.
The Penguins organization has expressed its full support for Kuzmenko, offering him the necessary space to grieve while navigating the demands of the NHL season. For now, the focus shifts to Saturday night, where Kuzmenko will take to the ice wearing his new number, carrying the memory of his father into the contest.
Fans at the PPG Paints Arena are expected to welcome the forward with a supportive atmosphere as he looks to find solace in the game he and his father shared a deep passion for.
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