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A Pittsburgh Penguins player has taken a leave of absence following the death of his father, who was killed by a bear during a fishing trip in Siberia, according to an NHL correspondent citing the Russian news outlet Ren.tv. The player, forward Andrei Kuzmenko, lost his father, Alexander, in the tragic incident.
The Penguins organization stated that Kuzmenko chose to be with his teammates after learning of the tragedy. He practiced with the team on Thursday morning before departing for Moscow to join his family. Amanda Kessel, director of Minor League operations for the Penguins, commented on his decision: "Completely his choice there. And I give him credit for getting out there and skating, maybe to take his mind off it. But definitely, from our side, it's whatever he needs at this point."
Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas released a statement expressing the team's sorrow: "The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened, this morning, to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko's father, Alexander. 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."
The team has requested that the family's privacy be honored as they mourn. Kuzmenko's return to the team has not been announced.
Originally reported by yahoo.