Ilya Valeryevich Kovalchuk is a Russian former professional ice hockey winger. He played for the Atlanta Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL), as well as Ak Bars Kazan, Khimik Moscow Oblast, SKA Saint Petersburg, Avangard Omsk, and Spartak Moscow in the Russian Superleague (RSL) and Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Kovalchuk in 2017
Kovalchuk at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Kovalchuk with the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2005–06 season.
Kovalchuk (top) playing for the New Jersey Devils, alongside Travis Zajac (#19, foreground), Nick Palmieri (#32), and Mark Fayne (#34).
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 25, 1997, and became the League's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 season. They were members of the Southeast Division of the NHL's Eastern Conference, and played their home games at what is now known as State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta. The Thrashers qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in the 2006–07 season, after winning the Southeast Division, but were swept in the first round by the New York Rangers.
The Thrashers take the puck into the offensive zone against the St. Louis Blues at Philips Arena on September 22, 2007.
Banner in Philips Arena honoring the Thrashers' sole division championship in 2006–07.
The giant fire-breathing birdheads at Philips Arena, lit when the players were introduced before the game and when the Thrashers scored a goal