Former 1st Overall Pick Comes Out Of Retirement At 40 Years Old
2001 first-overall pick Ilya Kovalchuk has officially come out of retirement and is beginning to play with Spartak Moscow of the KHL.
Kovalchuk Comes Out Of Retirement In The KHL
Every single NHLer wants to be able to play professionally for as long as possible but odds are by their mid-30s they are done. However, there are always a few that squeak through and play into their 40s.
We got the newest member of the 40-club as Ilya Kovalchuk suited up for his first game for Spartak Moscow yesterday. Kovalchuk originally retired from hockey in 2021 after spending a season with Avangard Omsk of the KHL.
Kovalchuk also netted a goal in his return to hockey with an empty netter.
Kovalchuk has always been one of the more controversial players in hockey. He signed a 17-year contract with the New Jersey Devils and left quite early on to return home to Russia which most were not a fan of.
Kovalchuk played in 936 career NHL games with the Thrashers, Devils, Kings, Canadiens, and Capitals scoring 443 goals and 876 points. He also brought home the Rocket Richard in 2004.
| POLL | ||
Do you like Ilya Kovalchuk? | ||
| Yes | 41 | 57.7 % |
| No | 30 | 42.3 % |
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