Andrei Kuzmenko is back with the Pittsburgh Penguins following an extraordinarily difficult period away from hockey.

The 30-year-old forward returned to Penguins practice Friday after traveling home to Russia following the death of his father, Alexander Kuzmenko, who died after being attacked by a bear during a fishing trip in southern Siberia.

Upon returning to Pittsburgh, Kuzmenko also revealed that he will make a significant change this season: he will wear No. 62 instead of No. 10.

The new number is a tribute to his family. His father was 62 years old when he died, while Kuzmenko’s mother was born in 1962. Those connections gave No. 62 a meaning that goes far beyond hockey.

Kuzmenko addresses his father’s death

Kuzmenko spoke with reporters following Friday’s practice and wanted to clarify details surrounding the tragedy. He said his father and friends were on a permitted fishing trip when the bear attacked from behind while his father was standing in the water.

Kuzmenko said his father fought the animal for an extended period and survived for two days afterward before dying from his injuries.

Rather than focusing only on the circumstances of the attack, Kuzmenko spent much of his statement thanking the people who supported him. Messages came from throughout the hockey community and from people in Russia, and he acknowledged that there were far too many for him to answer individually.

The Penguins had made it clear that Kuzmenko would be given whatever time he needed. When the organization announced his leave of absence on September 24, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas said Kuzmenko and his family had Pittsburgh’s full support.

Why Andrei Kuzmenko chose No. 62

Kuzmenko has traditionally been associated with No. 96 during his NHL career, but that number was not available to him in Pittsburgh. He had initially been set to wear No. 10.

After losing his father, however, the decision changed. No. 62 now represents both his father’s age at the time of his death and his mother’s birth year.

The Penguins confirmed that Kuzmenko practiced Friday wearing his new number.

Back around his Penguins teammates

Friday marked Kuzmenko’s return to the everyday environment of an NHL team. Head coach Dan Muse said the organization was happy simply to have him back in the building, around his teammates and on the ice after what his family had experienced.

“I’m happy to go back to Pittsburgh. I missed everyone.”

Andrei Kuzmenko

Kuzmenko said getting back to Pittsburgh allows him to return to his job and to hockey, something he has been eager to do after injuries disrupted his previous season.

A new chapter with the Penguins

Kuzmenko signed a one-year, $5 million contract with Pittsburgh on July 1. He recorded 25 points, including 13 goals, in 52 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season before undergoing knee surgery in February.

Entering his fifth NHL season, Kuzmenko has 182 points in 271 regular-season games across stops with Vancouver, Calgary, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

He is expected to make his Penguins debut against the Montreal Canadiens in Pittsburgh’s home opener Saturday night.

For Kuzmenko, though, the significance of returning goes far beyond a lineup spot or a new team. After an incredibly difficult loss, hockey offers a familiar place to return to, surrounded by teammates who supported him while he was away.

And when Kuzmenko pulls on a Penguins jersey again, the number on his back will carry a deeply personal meaning.

No. 62 will be for his family.

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Reporting details were confirmed through official Pittsburgh Penguins and NHL.com updates.