Alexander Kuzmenko, 62, a respected ice hockey coach and father of NHL star Andrei Kuzmenko, has died after being attacked by a brown bear during a fishing trip in Russia's remote Tuva Republic. The attack occurred on September 22 while he was part of a group of seven tourists from Moscow travelling by boat along the Bolshoy Yenisei River.
Attack and emergency response
Kuzmenko suffered catastrophic injuries, including severe wounds to his face, scalp and chest. His fellow travellers managed to chase the animal away before rushing him by boat to a nearby village in a desperate attempt to get medical treatment, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
He was airlifted by helicopter to the regional capital, Kyzyl, but medical staff were unable to save his life. Artysh Salchak, head of wildlife protection in Tuva, said: "The man's condition deteriorated. He died in the hospital."
Bear season concerns
The group had allegedly violated restrictions on fishing and forest access due to heightened bear dangers. The attack comes amid what has been described as one of the deadliest bear seasons in recent years, with reports also emerging of a 73-year-old hunter being killed on the same day.
In the Khakassia region, the town of Abaza, which has a population of around 15,000, has been grappling with an influx of bears despite dozens of the animals being shot. Mayor Valentina Filimonova warned that bears had taken over the local cemetery and had been sighted across several residential districts, raising serious concerns among residents.
Tributes to the coach
Roman Rotenberg, vice-president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation and a board member of Dynamo Moscow, described Kuzmenko's death as a "terrible tragedy". He noted that the coach had mentored numerous elite players during his time at Russia's National Hockey Centre, including his own son, Andrei.
Paying tribute, Rotenberg said: "Andrei, stay strong. We are with you. May his memory be eternal." Andrei Kuzmenko has gone on to play in the NHL, representing the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings during his professional career.
