Ilya Kovalchuk

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kovalchuk's time with the Devils was marked by dramatic moments and record-setting performances. On 10 February 2011, he scored the game-winning goal against the Maple Leafs to give head coach Jacques Lemaire the 600th win of his coaching career. On 4 February 2012, the second anniversary of his trade to the Devils, Kovalchuk recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick – a goal, an assist, and a fight – against the Philadelphia Flyers, the first such hat trick of his career and the second in Devils franchise history. He assisted on two goals by Kurtis Foster, scored a short-handed goal, then fought Brayden Schenn after a scrum formed when Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo performed a slew-foot on Devils captain Zach Parise. Kovalchuk recorded his first scoring hat-trick as a Devil on 14 February 2012 in a 4–1 victory against the Buffalo Sabres. On 8 March 2012, he recorded his 13th career hat trick and second as a Devil in a 5–1 win.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed over Prudential Center as the third period wound down. Kovalchuk skated with his head up, eyes locked on the play developing near the blue line. With a quick pass from a teammate, he found space in the slot. The puck hit the tape of his stick, and with a flick of his wrist that had terrified goalies for years, he sent it rocketing past the netminder's glove. The crowd erupted, not just for the goal, but for the sheer artistry of the Russian winger who had become the Devils' most dangerous offensive weapon.

Reader's Guide

Ilya Kovalchuk joined the New Jersey Devils on 4 February 2010 via a trade from the Atlanta Thrashers. He recorded two assists in his Devils debut the following day. On 10 February 2011, he scored the game-winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs to give Jacques Lemaire his 600th coaching win. On 4 February 2012, he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers, including a goal, an assist, and a fight with Brayden Schenn. He scored his first hat trick as a Devil on 14 February 2012 in a 4–1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, and his second on 8 March 2012 in a 5–1 win. Kovalchuk left the NHL in 2013 to return to Russia, joining SKA Saint Petersburg. He returned to the NHL in 2018, playing for the Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals before retiring from NHL play.

Did You Know?

• Kovalchuk was traded to the Devils on 4 February 2010, the same day he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick against the Flyers exactly two years later.
• He scored the game-winning goal on 10 February 2011 to give Jacques Lemaire his 600th career coaching win.
• Kovalchuk's Gordie Howe hat trick on 4 February 2012 was the first of his career and the second in Devils franchise history.
• He recorded his first hat trick as a Devil on 14 February 2012 in a 4–1 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
• Kovalchuk left the NHL in 2013 to return to Russia, joining SKA Saint Petersburg.