Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin to enter NHL/NHLPA Player’s Assistance Program
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have announced that Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin will be entering the NHL/NHLPA Player’s Assistance Program for an indefinite amount of time. This is the second time he’s entered taken a leave of absence from the team in the last year. The first time was when he left the team during the playoff series against the Seattle Kraken last season.
Nichushkin released the following statement explaining his decision to enter the program:
“I have made the decision to seek help and enter the player’s 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 organisation, and all of our fans for their understanding and support. I will do everything I can to get back on the ice and join my teammates as soon as possible.”
The Avalanche never confirmed the reason why he had to leave the team for a period of time last spring and miss five playoff games. A police report had surfaced stating there was an incident concerning an intoxicated woman in his hotel room. However, the team welcomed him back when they opened training camp this season and there was no indication that the issue was unresolved between the player, team, and police.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar spoke about the uncertainty surrounding Nichushkin at the start of the season. “Uncertainty would be from an outside perspective. I saw Val before I left here for the summer, and he was already doing great after he took care of himself and came back. I felt like Val was going to have a huge summer with training. He was finally through all of the injuries, etc. I really don’t have any concerns with him.”
The Player’s Assistance Program was established to help players through their struggles with alcohol and substance abuse as well as other issues that come up during a player’s time in the NHL. It is unknown at this time what the precise reason for Nichushkin’s entry into the program is but it is imperative to afford him the privacy he needs at this time and hope he’s back in the Avalanche lineup whenever he’s ready.
This comes at an unfortunate time for the player and his team. Nichushkin is in the midst of a career season, with 22 goals and 42 points in his first 40 games. The Avalanche are currently in fourth-place in the NHL and are gearing up for they hope will be another long playoff run and a chance at their second Stanley Cup in the last three years.
Nichushkin is two games away from the 500th of his career and has scored 110 goals and 263 points in his nine-year NHL career played with the Avalanche and the Dallas Stars.