Intoxicated Woman Escorted Out of Playoff Teams Hotel by Ambulance

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Skyler Walker
April 27, 2023 (11:31 PM)

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Valeri Nichushkin, the Russian forward of the Colorado Avalanche, has been absent for nearly a week due to undisclosed "personal reasons." While the Avalanche has not provided any details about Nichushkin's absence, reports have emerged regarding a crisis situation at the team's hotel in Seattle last Saturday, just hours before Game 3 against the Kraken.

The incident report from the Seattle Police Department revealed that a heavily intoxicated woman named Irina was found in Nichushkin's hotel room by Avalanche employees. Concerned that Irina was too intoxicated to leave the hotel on her own, the team's doctor, Bradley G. Changstrom, called 911.

Changstrom informed the police that Irina hit him, but he did not press charges against her. According to Irina, someone she referred to as a "bad person" took her passport. She was detained for posing a risk to others and was transported by ambulance.

Nichushkin's location is unknown after he left the hotel with team security. He was absent for Game 3 and has not played in Games 4 or 5. It remains unclear whether he will return for Game 6, as the Avalanche trail the Kraken 3-2 in the series and face elimination on Friday.

Nichushkin had a successful season with 17 goals and 30 assists in 53 games for the Avalanche. He was also a standout player during the team's 2022 Stanley Cup run, where he tallied nine goals in 20 playoff games. The team rewarded him with an eight-year $49 million contract last summer, making him a key player for the team's future success.

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