Penguins F Andrei Kuzmenko switches jersey to No. 62 to honor father killed in bear attack in Russia

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko is changing his jersey number to 62 in honor of his late father, Alexander, who died in a bear attack in Russia at the age of 62. Kuzmenko, 30, returned to practice with the team for the first time since attending his father's funeral in Moscow. The contract he signed with Pittsburgh last summer pays $5 million for one year.

Speaking to media, Kuzmenko detailed the harrowing incident that took his father's life while the family was out fishing in the Tyva region of Siberia. He explained that his father had obtained a permit for fishing with friends, and he remained in the water when a bear stood behind him and launched a one-hour, ten-minute assault. The father fought the bear for two days before succumbing to his injuries.

Kuzmenko, who previously wore jersey number 10, acknowledged that his father's death was a "big shock" to the entire family. The Penguins will kick off their season against the Montreal Canadiens in a home opener game this Saturday.