Valeri Nichushkin, who missed Colorado’s last game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, is entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Here is the official release from the league regarding the situation…

The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association announced today that forward Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche will be unavailable to his Club for an indefinite period while he receives care from the Player Assistance Program of the NHLPA and NHL.

Under the terms of the joint program, he will return to the Club when cleared for on-ice competition by the program administrators.

Nichushkin released a statement through the team after the announcement.