The Stars' first pick in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft (10th overall), Nichushkin has also appeared in five career contests (0g/4a) with Dallas' American Hockey League affiliate, the Texas Stars, and has dressed in 104 career KHL games (31g/26a) in Russia with Traktor Chelyabinsk and CSKA Moscow. The Chelyabinsk, Russia, native has registered 23 points (10g/13a) in 53 career KHL postseason contests.
"Valeri is a big, young winger who adds depth to our roster and brings competition to our training camp," said Avalanche Executive Vice President / General Manager Joe Sakic. "He brings NHL experience to our team and we are excited to have him with our organization."
Prior to playing for Dallas in 2018-19, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound forward spent the previous two seasons skating for CSKA Moscow. Nichushkin was named to the KHL All-Star Game in 2016-17 after producing 24 points (11g/13a) in 36 regular-season outings and then recorded 27 points (16g/11a) in 50 games in 2017-18 while also leading the team with seven game-winning goals, two of which were in overtime.
Internationally, Nichushkin (pronounced nih-CHOOSH-kihn) won a bronze medal with Team Russia at the 2017 IIHF World Championship and represented his country at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. He also won a bronze medal with Russia at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship and competed at the 2011 World Junior A Challenge, the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2012 and 2013 IIHF U18 World Championships.
