The NHL and the NHLPA announced that Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin has been placed in stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months.
Nichushkin has played in all of Colorado’s eight playoff games over the past few weeks, tallying 10 points (9g, 1a). Game 4 of the team’s second-round series against the Dallas Stars is set for puck drop on Monday night.
The NHLPA announced Monday’s news through a press release:
AVALANCHE’S NICHUSHKIN PLACED IN STAGE 3 OF NHL/NHLPA PLAYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
NEW YORK/TORONTO (May 13, 2024) – The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association announced today that forward Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche has been placed in Stage 3 of the Player Assistance Program of the NHLPA and NHL.
Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
This is Nichushkin’s second stint in the program this season after he entered in mid-January. The Russian winger made his return for the Avalanche on March 8 and played in 14 games before Colorado started their playoff run.
Per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Nichushkin failed a drug test to end up in the program again.
Players are reportedly placed in stage 3 when they violate their stage 2 treatment plan. There is also a final stage 4 which results in suspension without pay for at least one year. Reinstatement to the league is not assured after the fourth stage.
Last season, Nichushkin left the Avalanche in the middle of their 2023 playoff series against the Seattle Kraken after an intoxicated woman was found in his Seattle hotel room. While the woman needed transport to a hospital and Seattle PD were present, no criminal investigation stemmed from the incident.
Nichushkin stayed away from the team for the rest of the postseason for what was called “personal reasons.” Neither the Avalanche nor Nichushkin provided further comment on the situation and he returned without trouble at the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
