Avalanche Lose Star Player Indefinitely After he Enters Player Assistance Program

Midway through the 2023-24 season, there are reports that a star player with the Colorado Avalanche will be out indefinitely as he is entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program. The report on Valeri Nichushkin comes from hockey writer Adrian Dater, who says it has not yet been confirmed by the team.

Nichushkin was involved in a very strange incident during the first round of the playoffs in 2022. With the Avs taking on the Seattle Kraken, Nichushkin disappeared, and it was later reported that he had been seen heading to the airport with a full security detail. A police report Nichushkin was found in his Seattle hotel with an Eastern European woman suffering from severe alcohol intoxication. While it was never explicitly stated that Nichushkin had entered the Player Assistance program at that time, many believe that's what happened, as he did not return for the first round series which Colorado eventually lost to the Kraken. He was back with the Avalanche at the beginning of the next season.

Nichushkin is having a very good year on the ice, with 22 goals and 40 points in 42 games. Whatever is going on, we wish him all the best with his recovery.