Valeri Nichushkin’s journey takes an unexpected turn as he faces a six-month suspension without pay and enters stage 3 of the league’s player assistance program, amidst the intensity of the second-round series with Dallas. Today we will discuss about Valeri Nichushkin: Suspended| Wife| Drugs| What did do.
Valeri Nichushkin: Suspended| Wife| Drugs| What did do
Valeri Ivanovich Nichushkin (born March 4, 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed “Big Val”, “Nuke”, and “Choo Choo Train”, he was selected by the Dallas Stars in the first round, 10th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Nichushkin won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
| Born | 4 March 1995 Chelyabinsk, Russia |
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| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||
| Weight | 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Right wing | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Colorado Avalanche Traktor Chelyabinsk Dallas Stars CSKA Moscow |
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| National team |  Russia |
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| NHL draft | 10th overall, 2013 Dallas Stars |
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| Playing career | 2012–present | ||
Suspended
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said the pre-game news that forward Valery Nichushkin has been suspended for at least six months comes after his team’s 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday. There was “no excuse” for this.
The Avalanche have lost three straight games since winning the series opener, leaving the Stanley Cup contenders now facing elimination.
“We will not use this as an excuse. We can’t. We won’t,” Bednar said. “Again, we treat it the same way as [Logan O’Connor] – injured, for the year. You get news like that all the time. You continue to play with the players you have, and we have to play. We have the ability to perform much better today regardless of any news.”
The news that Nichushkin was placed in Step 3 of the NHL/NHL Players Association Player Assistance Program was announced a little more than an hour before puck drop. No further information was provided about why Nichushkin was included in the program.
Wife
Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin and his wife Svetlana recently enjoyed a picturesque vacation in Aspen, Colorado. Svetlana shared her joyful moments on Instagram, expressing her love for the fall season and the stunning landscapes of Aspen. Svetlana said that they go there to be inspired by the natural beauty of the area and to enjoy the delicious cuisine available there.
Drugs
The suspension comes after Nichushkin failed a drug test, ESPN reported during Monday’s Game 4 pregame broadcast. Nichushkin will be eligible to apply for reinstatement after the six-month suspension period. Colorado Avalanche forward Valery Nichushkin placed in Step 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
What did do
While the NHL did not provide a reason for the move, Frank Serravalli of the Daily Faceoff reported that “Nichushkin recently failed a drug test.”
Serravalli also said the forward missed several playoff games last season “after a 911 call in Seattle about an intoxicated woman being found in her room.”
In January, ESPN provided further clarification for the Player Assistance Program. It was created in 1996 and is available to players and their family members who are struggling with issues such as mental health and substance abuse.
People who are in the program have access to counseling, treatment, and a hotline to talk to mental health professionals.
This happened because Nichushkin had been excellent for the Avalanche during the playoffs. He has nine goals and one assist in 10 post-season games and also scored a hat trick during a Game 4 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the first round.
