Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has been away from the team since entering the NHL and NHLPA player assistance program on Jan. 15.

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has entered the follow-up care phase of the NHL and NHLPA player assistance program.

The NHL and NHLPA provided the update on Monday, noting Nichushkin is cleared to resume practising with the Avalanche. He has not been cleared to return to game action, however, and he is still receiving care as part of the program.

Nichushkin, 28, entered the program on Jan. 15 after last playing on Jan. 10. He missed the following match due to a reported illness before the announcement he'd be receiving care.

As is the case when a player receives care from the joint NHL and NHLPA program, neither them or the team has provided any detail about the reasoning behind entering the program out of respect for Nichushkin's privacy.

 The 6-foot-4, 210-pound right winger from Chelyabinsk, Russia, has played 40 games this season, recording 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points. His average ice time of 21:48 per game this season is the highest of his career, as is his shooting percentage of 17.2 percent.

Throughout 498 career regular-season NHL games, Nichushkin has 110 goals and 153 assists for 263 points. It's his fifth season with Colorado since signing with the club following four seasons with the Dallas Stars. The 10th overall pick in 2013 also has 64 games of playoff experience, with 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points.

The Avalanche are back in action on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. For more team coverage, visit The Hockey News' Colorado Avalanche site.