Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended for at least 6 ...
Nichushkin was suspended at least six months without pay and placed in stage 3 of the league's player assistance program on Monday before Game 4 of ...
Valeri Nichushkin is a professional ice hockey player from Russia who currently plays as a forward for the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League (NHL).
He was born on March 4, 1995, in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Nichushkin was selected by the Dallas Stars as the 10th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
He made his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars during the 2013-2014 season and quickly established himself as a promising young player.
Nichushkin is known for his size and strength on the ice, standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 210 pounds. He is often described as a power forward with good speed and skill.
Despite his potential, Nichushkin struggled to consistently produce offensively during his time with the Dallas Stars, leading to a brief stint in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with CSKA Moscow.
After returning to the NHL, Nichushkin signed with the Colorado Avalanche in 2019 as a free agent. He quickly found success with the team and became a key contributor to their lineup.
In the 2019-2020 season, Nichushkin set a career-high in points with 27 (13 goals, 14 assists) in 65 games played.
Nichushkin's strong play continued into the following seasons, earning him a reputation as a reliable two-way forward with the ability to contribute on both ends of the ice.
As of the 2021-2022 season, Nichushkin remains an important part of the Colorado Avalanche's lineup and is considered a valuable asset to the team's success.