Valeri Nichushkin Returns to NHL Assistance Program: The Inside Story

2024-01-15 17:38:31

Valeri Nichushkin made waves in the playoffs last year. History will remember that the Russian left the Avalanche entourage without really knowing why.

Then, the more time passed, the more we understood.

After rumors of a drinking problem surfaced, we learned that a big party had taken place at the hotel and that a woman was found intoxicated in the player’s room.

It got people talking at the time, we wondered what that meant for his future…

But this year, he returned to the game and he is on fire. In 40 games, Nichushkin collected no less than 42 points, including 20 goals. So he picked up where he left off before that story.

But now we learn that the Avalanche player would be back in the NHL assistance program. His absence would be of indefinite duration, of course.

This is what Adrian Dater says about X.

This is not official yet, but I’m hearing Valeri Nichushkin is back in the NHL player assistance program, out indefinitely

— Adrian Dater (@adater) January 15, 2024

Note that we do not know if the news of the day has a link with its history in series. But as he is making a second stint in the aid program, we can/must necessarily ask the question.

The good news is that whatever the reason for his second stint in the assistance program, he will seek help, precisely. It’s the right thing to do in the circumstances.

Note that the player from the Avalanche, a club which is in Montreal for this evening’s duel against the Canadian, was ill in the last days and has not played since January 10. At least that’s the club’s version.

Note also that he is the second Avalanche player this season to enter the assistance program. Quebecer Samuel Girard also used the service several weeks ago and it changed his life.

Samuel Girard encourages those who need it to seek help: “I was not going in the right direction” | JDM

— Jonathan Bernier (@JBernierJDM) January 14, 2024

A lot of

– Canadian: no changes to the lineup, except for the goalie. Jake Allen will be there automatically.

No line-up changes for the #Habs except for Jake Allen in net tonight vs. the #GoAvsGo

— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) January 15, 2024

– Jonathan Drouin is in town.

Jonathan Drouin on ice for Colorado Avalanche morning skate at Bell Centre #Habs #HasIO pic.twitter.com/8GXcAtrQSV

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) January 15, 2024

– Nathan MacKinnon on his good friend.

Nathan MacKinnon on Jonathan Drouin:

“He’s a very close friend. It’s great to have him back. Whether it’s on our line or 5v4, he helps me a lot on the ice.”

“He helps me a lot on the ice”: very strong words coming from a talented guy like MacKinnon.

— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) January 15, 2024

– He loves his life.