Prishchepov Doesn’t Mind Making Sacrifices

By Carlynn Claypool

Jan 27, 2025

In the last eight months, Colorado Eagles forward Nikita Prishchepov was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche, went to his first development camp, signed his first professional contract, played his first American Hockey League game with the Eagles, played his first NHL game with the Avalanche and recorded his first professional hat trick. Prishchepov’s first season as a professional hockey player has been a whirlwind. But he didn’t get here without hard work and sacrifice.

Prishchepov started playing hockey when he was eight years old. He said his grandpa would take him to the outdoor rinks, where he would skate with Prishchepov and play hockey together. 

“What I remember, I was running with a stick up to my house and, like, a little ball and then my grandpa decided to buy me a full equipment, you know, and take me to hockey, so it's all because of grandpa,” Prishchepov said.

Growing up, Prishchepov played for teams in Russia until 2021 before coming to North America to play for the Victoriaville Tigres in the Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. He played for the Tigres through the 2023-24 season. 

The three years Prishchepov played in Canada he was unable to see his family. 

“I think one of the hardest things that I sacrificed, and my family did that for me, it was when I played in Canada... it was hard at the start, but me and my family, we knew why we were doing that and I’m really thankful,” Prishchepov said. 

“I know it's hard for my mom, for my family, it's hard for me as well, but we did it together and I'm happy about that.”

Prishchepov finally got to see his family this past summer and as he was on his way back to Montreal, Canada, sitting at an airport in Turkey when he found out he was drafted by Colorado. The Avalanche organization told him to come to Colorado for training camp. 

After spending the last couple months of summer going from development camp to Canada, back to Colorado for rookie camp and the main training camp, Prishchepov wasn’t sure where he’d end up for the season. 

“I still didn’t know if I will stay here, or I will go back to junior and I was just still waiting and trying to do my best,” Prishchepov said. 

“When I heard that I will sign a contract for the Avalanche, I couldn’t sleep a couple nights because it was like Friday, Saturday and then Sunday. I was like ‘should I wait for Monday or not,’ and they finally signed me on Sunday.”

After playing six games with the Eagles, tallying two assists and one goal, Prishchepov was called up to play for the Avalanche. He appeared in 10 games with the team.

Prishchepov was out shopping for his new apartment when he got the call telling him he’d be playing in his first National Hockey League game.

“Guys know if the GM calls you, it’s probably you go up,” Prishchepov said. “So, he called me, and he was like ‘hey how are you?’ And I was like, ‘I’m good, how are you?’ He was just like, ‘how are you feeling?’ And I was just like, ‘I’m feeling good, I’m just shopping for my apartment’ and he was like, ‘oh, that’s good, but you got to pack your bag, go to Denver and you’re flying to Nashville.’ And I was like ‘oh my God.’”

Prishchepov said the whole exchange happened around 3 p.m. MT and even though he usually calls his mom later at night due to the time difference, he called her immediately to tell her the news. 

“I knew my mom was sleeping but I didn't care because, you know, it’s a dream,” he said. 

“So, I call her and I’m like ‘hey mom, I’m going tomorrow to Denver and then I’m flying to Nashville’ and she was sleepy, you know, but she was like ‘ok.’ I was like ‘ok you can go to sleep,’ but then she called me back and she was realizing that I’m going to play my first game, and it was really fun.”

After playing ten games with the Avalanche, Prishchepov rejoined the Colorado Eagles on November 15th. About a month later, on December 20th, he recorded his first career hat trick at the Eagles’ home barn.

“Growing up, it was like a dream to play pro hockey, and I didn’t mind sacrificing a lot of things to become a pro hockey player and I’m really happy to play my first pro hockey season here,” Prishchepov said.

Prishchepov’s contract with Colorado takes him through the 2026-27 season, so since he’s sticking around, here’s a quick get-to-know-you Q&A with him:

How many languages do you speak?
For sure I speak two, but because I used to play in Quebec, I don’t speak French, but I can understand sometimes.

What do you enjoy doing outside of hockey?
I like to play computer, but in the summer I like to play tennis a lot, pickleball. It’s kind of like, yeah, it's fun to play computer, but when you’re playing too long, you get bored, so I like to go play outside, tennis and pickleball are my favorite sports.

What games do you like to play on the computer?
I play Counter-Strike and it's more, like, European guys play that and sometimes I will play Fortnight, but I’m not good.

Did you have a favorite hockey player when you were growing up?
When I was getting older and older it was more Kaprizov and Kucherov.

Do you have any nicknames from your teammates?
Yeah, Prishy. Most of the guys call me ‘Prishy.’ A couple guys call me ‘Niky.’

Did you pick your own number?
No, I came at the development camp, and they already put a number for me, 85. I mean, I used to play for 88, but 85 looks cool too. I already played my first NHL with that number, so I’ll probably keep it.

Do you have any pregame superstitions?
I don’t know if it’s superstitions, just the thing I usually do. I come to the rink in the morning and then go back to my apartment, eat pasta with cheese and go to sleep, wake up, drink coffee and go to the rink.

Do you have a favorite arena to play in?
For sure Eagles Country.