Former head coach of the Russian youth team Vladimir Plyushchev reacted to the return of Olympic hockey champion Ilya Kovalchuk to Spartak.
Last Wednesday, 40-year-old Kovalchuk signed a contract with Spartak until April 30, 2024. The last time the forward played in the KHL was at the end of April 2021, when he won the Gagarin Cup within Omsk Avangard. He also played in Russia for Ak Bars Kazan, Khimik near Moscow and SKA Saint Petersburg, with whom he twice won the Gagarin Cup.
— Let’s be objective: we are talking about an athlete, although he is tall, but major. Plus, he hasn’t been on the ice in two years. Maybe it’s all just for attention. Another question: Does Ilya himself need it? He understands that fans want to see him in perfect shape, like in Atlanta in the 2000s, where he worked miracles. He went around everyone, threw them nines. Similar performances will be expected from him at Spartak. Yes, Kovalchuk will help in the locker room. And on the site? There is a good phrase: “You have to leave on time.” It’s one thing to hang up your skates when you’re at the top of your game, and another to suffer and listen to complaints. He will only be valued for the performances he demonstrated during his best years in the NHL. The fans are merciless: today they idolize you, and tomorrow they stigmatize you,” Plushchev told RT.
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RT
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
