Andrei Kuzmenko Switches Jersey Number to Honor Father
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko is changing his jersey number to 62 to honor his father, Alexander, who died at age 62 in Russia after a bear attack.
Springfield Holyoke, MA, October 2, 2026 —
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko is set to change his jersey number for the upcoming season. Kuzmenko will wear number 62, a decision made to honor his late father, Alexander Kuzmenko.
Alexander Kuzmenko passed away at the age of 62 in Russia. His death was reportedly due to a bear attack. The decision to adopt the number 62 by his son is a direct tribute to Alexander’s age at the time of his passing.
The specific timeline for when Andrei Kuzmenko will officially begin wearing the new number was not provided. The Pittsburgh Penguins have not yet issued an official statement regarding the number change.
Andrei Kuzmenko, who plays forward for the team, previously wore a different number. Information regarding his prior jersey number was not included in the summary.
The team is preparing for its next season, and this personal tribute adds a poignant layer to Kuzmenko’s participation. The exact circumstances surrounding the bear attack in Russia were not detailed.
Story summarized from the original created by Associated Press on www.wwlp.com, see more information here.
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