MOSCOW, July 12 (R-Sport) - NHL’s New Jersey Devils star Ilya Kovalchuk has abruptly announced his retirement from the hockey league and said he would return home to Russia.
The Devils made the announcement in a Thursday afternoon press release.
“After many conversations with Ilya over the past year on his desire to retire from the National Hockey League, Ilya’s decision became official today. On behalf of the entire organization, I wish Ilya and his family all the best in their future endeavors," Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said.
In a statement, Kovalchuk said he had been considering a move home since the NHL lockout last year, when he played for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL.
“This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia," he said. "Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me.”
“The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me,” he added.
Kovalchuk, 30, walks away from a massive 17-year, $102 million deal signed in 2010. An 11-year NHL veteran, he retires with 417 goals and 399 assists in 816 games with the Devils and Atlanta Thrashers, who made him the league's first No. 1 draft pick from Russia in 2001.
