NHL player’s father killed in Russian bear attack

SportsPittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko has taken a leave of absence after his father was killed in a bear attack in Russia, according to reports. Kuzmenko signed with Pittsburgh in July after spending last season with the Los Angeles Kings. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)APThe father of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko was killed in a bear attack while fishing in Russia, according to reports.Alexander Kuzmenko was 62. He was attacked by a bear that emerged from a forest along the Krasnaya River in Tuva Republic, according to Russian network Ren TV, which first reported the news. He was bitten near his head and suffered severe tissue damage.The elder Kuzmenko was one of seven people on the fishing trip. First responders were unable to reach the group due to the dense surrounding forest, so Kuzmenko was transported for four hours until they could reach an ambulance. He was airlifted to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened, this morning, to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,” Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said in a statement. “Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the Kuzmenko family and their loved ones as they grieve the loss of Alexander. We ask that the privacy of Andrei and the Kuzmenko family be respected at this time.“Andrei and the Kuzmenko family have the full support of the Penguins organization at this time,” Dubas added.Andrei is entering his first season with the Penguins after he signed a one-year, $5 million contract in July. He practiced with his Penguins teammates on Thursday before he took a leave of absence and returned to Russia.The four-year NHL veteran previously played for the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. He has 182 points (85 goals, 97 assists) in 271 games.Zach Mentz is Trending Sports Reporter for cleveland.com / The Plain Dealer and its parent company, Advance Local. His past interviews include NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, Heisman Trophy winner Ricky...