Ilya Kovalchuk Teases Major Decision on his Hockey Career

PUBLICATION

TJ Tucker
October 2, 2023 (10:19)

SHARE THIS STORY

Just when you think he's out...

Ilya Kovalchuk, star of both the NHL and KHL, has released a statement saying he's about to make a major decision regarding his pro hockey career.

"I have not officially finished my career. The last match is definitely not my thing. If you go out, you need to play, help the team. We will communicate first of all with the head coach of Spartak, Alexei Zhamnov, to understand what are the tasks and interests, so that it will primarily benefit the team. The decision on the contract will be within two weeks," - Ilya Kovalchuk, Sports24.ru

Kovalchuk, 40-years-old, has not played pro hockey since winning the KHL's Gagarin Cup with Avangard Omsk. While he's never played for Spartak Moscow in the KHL, he came up through the team's youth system.

Kovalchuk was the 1st overall pick of the Atlanta Thrashers. Despite his clear offensive talent, Kovalchuk's NHL career was somewhat rocky, as he returned to Russia three times during his tenure in the league. He does not have his name on the Stanley Cup, but won the Rocket Richard Trophy is 2004 as the NHL's top scorer. Kovalchuk has three Gagarin Cups; two with SKA St. Petersburg and one with Avangard. During St. Petersburg's 2015 Cup win, Kovalchuk was named the KHL's playoff MVP, but refused the award, instead handing it to teammate Evgenii Dadonov.