Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko just made a jersey number change that carries an absolutely gut-wrenching story with it. He switched from No. 10 to No. 62, a move he explained Friday was all about honoring his father, who recently died in a bear attack. It’s a tragic reminder that sometimes, what happens off the ice hits harder than anything on it.
The Numbers Tell a Heartbreaking Tale
Why 62? Kuzmenko laid it out for everyone. He said his usual number is 96, but he couldn’t use it. For him, No. 10 wasn’t as important. The significance of 62 runs deep, connecting to “big things” in his life. He revealed that 1962 is his mother’s birth year, and his father was 62 years old when he died. “And today, we have (20)26 years. And I want to take 62 (as a) number.” That’s heavy, right? Sixty-two isn’t just a number on his back anymore; it’s a living, breathing memorial to his father, who passed away during a fishing trip in Siberia on September 23.
Back On The Ice With His Teammates
Kuzmenko took a leave of absence from the team after the tragedy, which is completely understandable. But he returned to Pittsburgh’s practice on Friday, and it was clear coach Dan Muse was relieved to have him back. Muse said Kuzmenko had been in their thoughts while he was away, adding, “We’re really happy that he’s back here, just being in the building, around his teammates, and getting to skate. It’s tragic. We feel for him, his family, and thinking of them here over the past week. We’re happy that he’s back with his teammates.” That kind of support from your team means everything when you’re going through something so unimaginable. Kuzmenko himself was appreciative of all the support, thanking everyone who reached out. He saw the messages on Instagram and felt the hockey world’s understanding of what happened, acknowledging how much it meant.
A New Beginning, Marked By Loss
This season is already a massive one for the 30-year-old. It’s his fifth year in the NHL but his first with the Penguins, having joined them on a one-year, $5 million deal back on July 1. Last season, playing for the Los Angeles Kings, Kuzmenko put up 13 goals and 12 assists in 52 games. Now, he’s got a fresh start with Pittsburgh, carrying not just the weight of a new team and season, but an incredible personal burden and a powerful tribute on his jersey. As Kuzmenko laces up for the Penguins, every single shift will carry that extra weight and meaning. It’s more than just hockey for him right now. Here’s hoping he finds strength and peace on the ice as he honors his father and starts this new chapter.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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