AVALANCHE

9NEWS obtains body camera video of incident involving Nichushkin

Jun 2, 2023, 11:00 AM

9NEWS, Denver’s NBC affiliate, has obtained police body camera footage of the incident involving Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin in Seattle.

The star forward disappeared from the team before Game 3 of the NHL playoffs against the Kraken, and hasn’t been heard from since. Through a series of questions Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has called the matter personal, while GM Chris MacFarland would offer up little more.

Denver Sports tracked down a police report that detailed a bizarre incident at the team hotel with a severely intoxicated woman in Nichushkin’s room who needed medical attention. A 911 call also shed some more light on the situation, involving the Avalanche’s team doctor and the woman striking him.

We now have some video of what happened, thanks to 9NEWS and the work of journalist Steve Staeger. Here’s his full report, noting that the Seattle PD muted the audio at several key moments that could detail more of Nichushkin’s involvement in the whole ordeal.

There’s a lot to unpack in that video, with the woman who was born in Ukraine but from Russia saying a “bad man” stole her passport. That much was known, but it’s now on camera.

Also, Colorado’s team physician, Bradley Changstrom, clearly wants to share more about Nichushkin with the police, but wants assurance of privacy. Those conversations were muted.

The Avalanche, once again, told 9NEWS they did not have any comment on the situation and maintain Nichushkin’s absence was “personal.”

There is no update on the health or status of the woman involved in the incident. Nichushkin also hasn’t been seen since he left the team in late April.

The Avs lost to the Kraken in Round 1 of the playoffs in seven games.

***

Avalanche

Mile High Hockey...

Rachel Vigil

Avs are in dominate form

Mike recaps the Avs' dominant performance against the Jets and takes a look at their potential future opponents

2 days ago

Nathan MacKinnon Avalanche...

Will Petersen

There are reasons the Avalanche could want Vegas, but also Dallas

Let's start with the obvious, if it's Vegas the series will begin here; if it's Dallas, the Avalanche will head to Texas for Games 1 and 2

3 days ago

Cale Makar Norris...

Will Petersen

A yearly tradition: Avalanche star Cale Makar is up for the Norris

Cale Makar had a monster season for the Avalanche, posting 21 goals and 69 assists; this is his fourth time being nominated for the Norris

4 days ago

Avalanche Jets Valeri Nichushkin Mikko Rantanen...

Will Petersen

The Avalanche ground the Jets, Round 2 bound with flurry of goals

Mikko Rantanen scored his first two goals of the series to give Colorado the lead, propelling the Avalanche and dispatching the Jets

4 days ago

Cale Makar Avs Jets...

Will Petersen

Avs throttle Jets, second period explosion leads to 3-1 series edge

Cale Makar scored one of the nastiest goals you will ever see, taking on the Jets by himself, and the Avs are one win away from Round 2

7 days ago

Avalanche Jets...

Will Petersen

Avalanche explode in third period, stun Jets with an electric rally

The unbelievable start to the third period gave the Avalanche a 2-1 series lead over the Jets, thanks to three goals in exactly six minutes

8 days ago

9NEWS obtains body camera video of incident involving Nichushkin