 |
 |
Реклама в Интернет * Все Кулички |
|
|
Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin not under NHL investigation for incident at team hotel 3 июня 2023 года. Fredrickson, Kyle. TCA Regional News; Chicago [Chicago]. Jun. 3 - Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin is not being investigated by the NHL for his role in an April incident requiring Seattle police at the team hotel, league deputy commissioner Bill Daly told reporters Saturday in Las Vegas before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Nichushkin left the Avalanche during their first-round playoff series against the Kraken for "personal reasons" with the team declining to provide further details. A team doctor called police when a heavily intoxicated woman was found in Nichushkin's hotel room. He did not play in Games 3-7 with Colorado eliminated in the first round against Seattle. "We know exactly what happened and we think it was handled appropriately (by the Avalanche)," Daly said, adding that Nichushkin will be available to play next season. The Avs have not provided an official update on Nichushkin's status with the team. General manager Chris MacFarland said following the season that Nichushkin "was a very important part of our team in the past" and "that's our hope, that he's going to be a very important part of our team in the future." Nichushkin, 28, is currently on an 8-year contract through the 2029-30 season with an average annual value of $6.125 million. He missed significant time with an ankle injury last season but still recorded 47 points (17 goals). NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hopes Altitude-Comcast TV dispute is resolved soon: 'It's a terrible situation' NHL Insider: Why Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson prefers to allow fighting in youth hockey NHL INSIDER Valeri Nichushkin's mysterious NHL absence will end with the embattled Russian winger quietly rejoining the Colorado Avalanche. Nichushkin is expected to participate in training camp, a team spokesman confirmed to The Denver Gazette. It's the first real update the Avs provided on his status since Nichushkin abruptly left their first-round playoff series in Seattle for "personal reasons" without further explanation. Public records tell a different story. Nichushkin has not been charged with a crime and is not currently under investigation by authorities. But a team doctor called Seattle police on April 22 when a severely intoxicated woman was found in his hotel room. Is it simply coincidence that Nichushkin left the same day and missed the remainder of the Kraken series? Of course not. The Avalanche failed Public Relations 101 handling this saga. Willfully ignoring a public police record involving one of their players erodes trust. What else might the team hide in order to protect its image? The industry standard for professional sports teams is a simple statement: We are aware of the police report involving Valeri Nichushkin and are handling the situation internally. Instead, the Avalanche obscured reality and pushed a false narrative. It's disingenuous to say Nichushkin's absence was not disciplinary. It suggests that any player could be involved in a police report and face zero repercussions. Some readers might interpret this commentary as whining from self-important media. And that the "personal reasons" for Nichushkin's absence are none of my business. Maybe they're right. But the Avs created a mess with a stunning lack of transparency. Reporters are simply doing their jobs to accurately report on the team. Truth is essential. It's unfortunate that Nichushkin will likely never explain what happened. In March, he spoke exclusively with The Denver Gazette to discuss his health, leadership style and more. But Nichushkin regularly denies interview requests with still-improving English. My expectation is that he will avoid reporters with little or no pushback from the team. General manager Chris MacFarland said last month that the "hope" is Nichushkin will be "a very important part of our team in the future." That makes sense when you consider he is signed to play for Colorado through the 2029-30 season. But Nichushkin clearly has much to prove - on and off the ice - to show that he's a leader for the Avalanche. Nichushkin can't let this incident define his entire NHL career. |
 |
|
|