Val Nichushkin is suspended 6 months without pay by the NHL

The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association announced today that forward Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche has been placed in Stage 3 of the Player Assistance Program of the NHLPA and NHL.

Under the terms of the joint program, Nichushkin will be suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.

Under the program, a player seeking first-time help will receive confidential counseling and treatment. Here is the outline for the discipline drug and alcohol treatment policy.
Stage one: First in-patient treatment; no penalty.
Stage two: For violation of stage one treatment plan, suspension without pay during active phase of treatment and then eligible for reinstatement.
Stage three: For violation of stage two treatment plan, suspension without pay for at least six months, then eligible for reinstatement.
Stage four: For violation of stage three treatment plan, suspension without pay for at least one year. Reinstatement is not assured.

Players may also be subject to program supervision for substance abuse-related involvement within the criminal justice system. For example, players arrested for substance abuse-related offenses may be placed in stage one.

»Nichushkin has been suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and then will be eligible to apply for reinstatement.»

#Avs forward Val Nichushkin has been suspended without pay for a minimum 6 months for violating terms of #NHL/#NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Sources say Nichushkin recently failed a drug test. He missed playoff games last year after a 911 call in Seattle in which an intoxicated woman was found in his room.