DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has been suspended without pay for a minimum of six months, the NHL announced Monday.
The announcement came an hour ahead of Game 4 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Dallas Stars.
According to the joint program administered by the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association, the forward has been placed in Stage 3 of the Player Assistance Program, as confirmed by the league.
Nichushkin's entry into Stage 3 indicates a violation of the program's terms, necessitating his application for reinstatement.
At 29 years old, Nichushkin first entered the league’s Player Assistance Program on January 13 and returned to action on March 7. Consequently, he will be absent for the remainder of the postseason and, at the very least, the initial month of the upcoming season.
During the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Nichushkin departed the team unexpectedly in Seattle following a crisis call at the Four Seasons Hotel ahead of Game 3. An Avalanche team physician discovered a 28-year-old woman, who was subsequently transported in an ambulance upon the arrival of law enforcement officers at the team hotel.
Prior to the start of the season, Nichushkin addressed reporters, stating: “I know you guys want to find something there, but it’s not really interesting.”
This season, Nichushkin appeared in 54 games, registering two goals in the regular season. In the current 2023-24 playoffs, the Avalanche forward has accumulated 10 points and nine goals across eight games.
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