Avalanche forward enters NHL Player Assistance program
Valeri Nichushkin has entered the NHL's Player Assistance Program and will be away from the team for an uncertain time.
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has entered the NHL Player Assistance Program and will be unavailable to the team during his treatment, according to the league.
The 28-year-old Russian did not play in the team's last game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and head coach Jared Bednar said he was "under the weather."
Nichushkin has been having an exceptional season with 42 points in 40 games. His career high is 52 in 62 games in the Avs Stanley Cup-winning season (2021-22).
The team released a statement from him following the announcement:
"I have made the decision to seek help and enter the players assistance program. My goal is to address my issues and prevent any negative outcomes once and for all. I want to thank my wife and family, my friends, the Avalanche organization and all of our fans for their understanding and support. I will do everything I can to get back on the ice and and join my teammates as soon as possible."
While this is publicly the first time Nichushkin has been admitted to the program, there was speculation he may have been in an alcohol assistance program after an incident in Seattle during the playoffs last season.
Seattle Police were called to the team's hotel to assist with a highly intoxicated woman found in Nichushkin's room. She was attended to by the team doctor and local medical professionals but there were no charges stemming from the incident.
Bednar said he was in contact with Nichushkin after he left the team, but he did not return. The Avalanche's playoff run was cut short in a first-round exit from the Seattle Kraken.
“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," general manager Chris MacFarland said about Nichushkin on May 9 in a news conference.
Bednar said there was no uncertainty with Nichushkin coming into this season in response to Denver Post Corey Masisak's question about the Avs' top six forward after the Seattle incident.
"I saw Val (Nichushkin) before I left for the summer from here and he was already doing great after he, you know, took care of himself," Bednar said on Jan. 3. "He came back and, I mean, I felt like Val was going to have a huge summer — training, he was finally through all the injuries that he went through, etc."
Nichushkin did not speak to media until training camp in late September and had very little to say.
"We already talked about that, family reasons," he said on the first day of Colorado's training camp. "I know you guys want to find something there but it's nothing really interesting. I think we should close it. It's a new season right now. We have to focus on that."
Nichushkin is the second Avalanche player to enter the program this season. Samuel Girard spent the end of November through December in the program after admitting he has struggled with anxiety and depression which led to alcohol abuse.
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