Nichushkin cleared to practice with Avalanche after getting care from the player assistance program

DENVER (AP) — Valeri Nichushkin resumed practicing with the Colorado Avalanche on Monday after receiving care from the player assistance program.

The NHL and NHL Players' Association announced that Nichushkin entered the follow-up care phase after being away from the team since in mid-january. Colorado coach Jared Bednar said after Monday's practice that Nichushkin's return to game action remains "to be determined." He won't accompany the team on an upcoming two-game trip.

The 28-year-old Russian became the second Colorado player to take part in the joint leagueunion program this season after defenseman

Samuel Girard, who resumed playing roughly five weeks after entering it. Washington's Evgeny Kuznetsov and Columbus' Patrik Laine remain in the program.

Nichushkin darted around the ice Monday wearing a white Avalanche sweater, going through drills and unleashing shots on net. Colorado is 26-11-3 with Nichushkin in the lineup this season and 9-8-2 without him.

"It's awesome to see him around," said defenseman Cale Makar, whose team hosts Central Division-leading Dallas on Tuesday night. "Mental health comes first and hockey comes second, always. We're all friends in this room, and we've got to support guys like that. ... At the end of the day, we're a family and we've got to support him."

Nichushkin has 22 goals and 20 assists in 40 games this season. He is two games away from reaching 500 regular-season contests for his career. He's also a big part of their power play.

"It's nice just having him in the right mindset," forward Logan O'connor said. "We're more worried about the individual than what he is as a player. He cleaned up that side of things and now having him a back is huge."