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Sports Columnists | Keeler: Avalanche star Valeri Nichushkin’s hat…
Friday, May 15th 2026

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Keeler: Avalanche star Valeri Nichushkin’s hat trick left NHL great Kevin Stevens tipping his cap: “I’m pulling for him”

Like Nichushkin, Stevens played a wicked left wing on a line with one of the greatest centers of his generation. Like Val, he’s wrestled demons. And lost.

Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) skates through hats on the ice after his first ever hat trick after scoring an empty net goal late in the 3rd period to win game four 5-1 of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) skates through hats on the ice after his first ever hat trick after scoring an empty net goal late in the 3rd period to win game four 5-1 of the first round of the NHL playoffs at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, April 28, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 8: Sean Keeler - Staff portraits at the Denver Post studio. (Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)
By | skeeler@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Kevin Stevens doesn't have to ride shotgun on the Valeri Nichushkin train, mind you. But he'd love it if somebody saved him a seat.
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