Ilya Kovalchuk's Future In Hockey Revealed
Despite not playing professional hockey since 2021, Ilya Kovalchuk says he's seriously considering returning to the ice. The 40-year-old has told reporters in Russia that while he hasn't played, he's been training intensely and feels he still has something to offer a team. If he decides to come back, he said it will be with Spartak Moscow, where he was trained as a youth.
"This issue has been with me for a long time. We need to talk to Alexei Zhamnov, meet, discuss all the details. If it does happen, then, understandably, it will be one team. I have to weigh the pros and cons, I haven't had competitive practice for a long time, although I'm constantly training. It will take some time to prepare myself and help the team. I think it will take a couple weeks at the most and then we'll make a decision." - Rsport.ria.ru
Number One
Kovalchuk was drafted first overall in the NHL by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2001. He went on to play 926 regular season games in the league, despite leaving on three occasion to return home to Russia to play. After Atlanta, he would also play for the New Jersey Devils, LA Kings, Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals.
Kovalchuk the day he was drafted 1st overall by the Atlanta Thrashers. On his left is Jason Spezza, taken 2nd overall by the Ottawa Senators, and on his right is Alexandr Svitov, drafted 3rd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
KHL's Top Prize
Kovalchuk has won the KHL's Gagarin Cup on three occassions; twice with SKA St. Petersburg, and once with Avangard which came in 2021. In 2015, Kovalchuk was named MVP of the playoffs while SKA won the Gagarin Cup. However, Kovalchuk refused to award and handed it to teammate Evgenii Dadonov. Kovalchuk felt Dadonov was the real MVP and deserved in more.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Kovalchuk could still contribute in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 8 | 29.6 % |
| No | 15 | 55.6 % |
| Not sure | 4 | 14.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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