Denver rarely gets to host a championship parade. The last time the locals were honored with such an honor was more than 20 years ago! But this summer, the Colorado players made a historic breakthrough in the NHL – and gave the city a big celebration.

The parade should be a particularly important event for the Russian hockey player Valery Nichushkin. The forward played a crucial role in the Avalanche’s victory in the Stanley Cup and was not afraid to enter the last meeting with a terrible injury, impressing the audience with his dedication. After that, the striker probably expected honors and respect from the fans, but the townspeople greeted him … with a whistle!

The Russian with a smile accepted the gratitude of the fans.

Nichushkin, nicknamed “the train”

Forward Nichushkin became one of the main characters of the Colorado in the Stanley Cup final. The Russian was really successful in the main series of the season – the striker scored four goals in six matches, which made him the team’s best sniper at this stage.

Nichushkin won the love of fans not only with his performance, but also with devotion to hockey. In the fifth match against Tampa, the Russian received a fracture of one of the metatarsal bones of the foot. However, Nichushkin did not even think about ending the season ahead of schedule. Limping on his right leg, he first participated in the pre-game rolling, and then went to the sixth game.

In a triumphant match, the striker spent even more time on the ice than some of the Colorado’s star players. It is not surprising that after the game, the striker could not leave the arena on his own: he was carried to the exit on a cart. And even Nichushkin arrived at the championship parade in a wheelchair.

Photo: © Personal archive of Valery Nichushkin

Therefore, Russian viewers expected that Nichushkin would receive comparable congratulations from Colorado fans for all his services to the team. However, when the striker, limping heavily, stepped onto the stage, he heard in his address … a whistle.

This “congratulation” of the owner of the Stanley Cup strongly disliked the fans from Russia. They immediately began to accuse the Americans of bias and ingratitude. Still, Nichushkin was the hero of the Avs in the playoffs and even sacrificed his health so that Denver could see this holiday!

However, the Colorado fans themselves explained the reason for their behavior and reassured Nichushkin’s defenders. Fans clearly answered in social networks questions about the whistle against Valery. It turned out that no one set themselves the task of offending the hockey player – on the contrary, in this way the Americans supported their hero. The fact is that Nichushkin among the Colorado fans has a nickname – “Train”. Therefore, when the Russian appeared on the stage, he was first greeted with a sound reminiscent of the whistle of a locomotive. And after that they showered the striker with applause. With the same whistle “choo-oo” he is greeted from the stands during matches.

So there is no need to doubt: Nichushkin is loved in Denver. And they will be happy if the striker signs a new contract with Colorado.