The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to sign Russian hockey star Ilya Kovalchuk to a three-year contract, the team announced Saturday.
“We are excited to add Ilya to the L.A. Kings organization. He gives us an added element of skill and scoring along with a desire to win. We will withhold further comment until July 1,” Kings Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake announced.
Kovalchuk, 35, was the first player taken in the 2001 NHL Draft, chosen by the Atlanta Thrashers. He last appeared in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils during the 2012-13 season.
From 2001 to 2013, no active NHL player scored more goals than Kovalchuk’s 417. He had two 50-plus goal seasons, and cleared the 40-goal plateau six consecutive years (2003-04 to 2009-10). His 0.51 goals-per-game percentage ranks 18th all-time in league history.
More recently, the 6-3, 230-pound native of Tver, Russia, appeared in 53 regular-season games this past season with SKA St. Petersburg (KHL), recording 63 points. He led the KHL in points, ranked second in goals, fifth in assists and tied for third in game-winning goals (6). He helped lead SKA to the Western Conference Final before falling to CSKA.
During his 11 NHL seasons, he tied for the Maurice Richard Trophy once (2003-04), was selected to three All-Star games (2003-04, 2007-08 and 2008-09), was selected as a First Team All-Star in 2011-12 and a Second Team All-Star in 2003-04.