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    Colleen Flynn
    Colleen Flynn
    Jun 2, 2023, 18:31

    Body camera video has been released by the Seattle Police Department in an incident allegedly involving Valeri Nichushkin during the playoffs.

    Body camera video has been released by the Seattle Police Department in an incident allegedly involving Valeri Nichushkin during the playoffs.

    Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports - Nichushkin was not at Seattle hotel when police questioned team security, bodycam video shows

    Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin hasn’t been seen or heard from by the media since an incident during the playoffs in Seattle.

    A police report said a “heavily intoxicated” woman was found when the team doctor, Bradley Changstrom, went to check on Nichushkin around 3:45 p.m. on April 22. 

    "CHANGSTROM stated that (woman's name removed by THN) was located by team employees when they were checking on one of the players Valeri Nichushkin. CHANGSTROM stated that he observed (woman's name removed by THN) in the room heavily intoxicated," the report said.

    Changstrom told police he called 911 for an ambulance because the woman was incapable of taking a cab or ride-share on her own. The report said the woman "hit" Changstrom but he didn't press charges.

    As you can see in the body-worn camera video obtained by 9News in Denver, the responding officer questioned the woman, Changstrom and the Avalanche’s Denver Police Department security who traveled with the team. 

    No criminal charges were filed and no update was provided about the woman involved in the incident. You can see in the video -- what the police report said -- that she told the officer she was from Russia but born in Ukraine and that a "bad man" took her passport. 

    Nichushkin missed morning skate for Game 3 against the Seattle Kraken and never returned to the ice. After numerous inquiries to Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland and head coach Jared Bednar, there isn’t much more information on Nichushkin’s status.

    Bednar confirmed at one point after the incident that the team had spoken to Nichushkin but didn't say anything more than that. 

    When MacFarland was asked by reporters on May 9 about Nichushkin’s place on the team, he said, “He was a very important part of our team in the past and we hope, that’s our hope, he’s going to be a very important part of our team in the future."

    Nichushkin is going into his second year of an eight-year contract he signed with the Avalanche last offseason. His yearly salary is $6,125,000, according to CapFriendly.com, which currently represents 7.3% of the total cap percentage for the team.