Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko changed his jersey number to honor his father, who was killed in a bear attack in Siberia. The 30-year-old, who is in his first season with Pittsburgh, switched from No. 96 to No. 62 ahead of Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.
Kuzmenko spoke to reporters at the team’s practice facility on Friday. He was impressively composed given the circumstances, telling the media he wanted to speak because he understood reporters have a job to do.
The Bear Attack That Killed His Father
Kuzmenko explained that his father went on a permitted fishing trip with friends. His father stayed in the water, and a bear stood behind him and attacked.
“My father go permit fishing with friends, and he stayed in the water,” he 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.”
Kuzmenko thanked everyone for the support he received in the wake of the tragedy.
From No. 96 to No. 62
Kuzmenko wore No. 96 throughout his NHL career before joining the Penguins. He previously played for the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.
When he signed with Pittsburgh, he was preparing to use No. 10. Instead, he chose No. 62.
According to the Associated Press, the number carries a lot of personal significance. His late father was 62 years old at the time of his death, while his mother was born in 1962.
A Career Built on the KHL
Kuzmenko spent time in the KHL before arriving in the NHL ahead of the 2022-23 season. Since then, he has played in 271 games, racking up 182 points (85G, 97A).
| Team | Years | Jersey Number |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Canucks | Previous stop | No. 96 |
| Calgary Flames | Previous stop | No. 96 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Previous stop | No. 96 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Previous stop | No. 96 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Current | No. 62 |
What the Number Represents
The choice of No. 62 is a quiet, personal tribute. It matches his father’s age at death and his mother’s birth year.
Kuzmenko did not need to explain the number to anyone. It is a mark that now sits on his sweater for all to see.
A Simple Honor
There is nothing elaborate about Kuzmenko’s choice. He picked a number that means something to him personally.
That is the kind of tribute that resonates. It is not about spectacle. It is about respect.
Kuzmenko’s father fought the bear for an hour and ten minutes. He lived for two days afterward. Those details are difficult to hear, and Kuzmenko delivered them without drama.
The number on his jersey will serve as a daily reminder of what he lost. It is a simple honor, and it is fitting.
Kuzmenko’s career has been built on consistency. He has played over 271 NHL games and scored 182 points. Now he has added a new chapter to his story, one that honors the man who raised him.
His father’s death was sudden and brutal. He went out into the wilderness on a permitted fishing trip with friends, and when he stayed in the water, a bear stood behind him and attacked. The attack lasted an hour and ten minutes. Afterward, his father lived for two more days.
Kuzmenko did not break down during the interview. He spoke clearly and calmly, even as he recounted the most painful moment of his life. He understood that reporters have a job to do, and he wanted to give them the facts.
He thanked everyone for the support he received in the wake of the tragedy. That support, along with the number on his jersey, will stay with him as he continues his career with the Penguins.
The number 62 is a small thing. It is a number on a sweater. But it carries weight. It matches his father’s age at death and his mother’s birth year. Kuzmenko chose it himself, instead of the No. 10 he had originally planned to wear.
It is a simple honor. It is fitting.
Source material: “Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko changes jersey to honor late father killed in bear attack,” Fox News.
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