Atlanta Thrasher's Ilya Kovalchuk and His Hockey Career

If you know anything about Ilya Kovalchuk, you know that he is quite the hockey player. Ilya Kovalchuk was born in Kalinin, Russia on April 15, 1983, making him twenty-six years old. Ilya Kovalchuk is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 230 pounds. He is currently plays left wing and is the Captain for the Atlanta Thrashers. Ilya Kovalchuk started playing in the RSL (Russia Super League) with the HC Spartak Moscow in the 1999-2000 season. The RSL was the best professional hockey league in Russia, and was said to be the second best hockey league in the world, after the NHL, but the league was replaced in 2008. Ilya Kovalchuk spent two seasons with the HC Spartak Moscow.

In 2001, Ilya Kovalchuk was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers, 1st overall. Obviously, he was the Atlanta Thrasher's first round pick, but he was the first ever Russian hockey player to be drafted first overall. Ilya Kovalchuk went straight to the NHL after being drafted and has never spent any time in the AHL (American Hockey League), or any other similar league. Kovalchuk played with the Atlanta Thrashers for three seasons, until the 2004-2005 NHL Lockout. During the NHL Lockout, Ilya Kovalchuk went back to his home country, Russia, to play for the Khimik Moscow Oblast in the RSL. Once the NHL Lockout ended, Ilya Kovalchuk returned to the Atlanta Thrashers and has played with them ever since.

In addition to his impressive career as a professional hockey player, Ilya Kovalchuk also has had quite a bit of experience playing hockey on an international level. Kovalchuk was a part of Russia's Olympic hockey team in 2002 and 2006. In 2002, Team Russia took home the bronze medal. He also represented Russia in the World Championships in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2005 and 2007, Russia won the bronze medal and in 2008 and 2009, Russia won the gold medal. In 2009, Kovalchuk was named to World Championships MVP.

Ilya Kovalchuk has also received many honors in the NHL. In 2002, Kovalchuk was selected to play in the YoungStars Game, where he was named the most valuable player. Also in 2002, Ilya Kovalchuk was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Kovalchuk has also been selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game many times, in 2004, 2008, and 2009. He was also named to the NHL Second-All Star Team in 2004. Also in 2004, Ilya Kovalchuk was awarded the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy (along with Jarome Iginla and Rick Nash), which is awarded to the player with the most goals scored. 2004 was a big year for Ilya Kovalchuk, as he was also awarded the Kharlamov Trophy, which is awarded to the most valuable Russian player.

ref-www.nhl.com