Olympic champion Andrei Kovalenko told that he is back after a two-year hiatus in his career. Ilya Kovalchuk will not become a burden for “Spartacus” and young players have a lot to learn from him.
In early December, 40-year-old Kovalchuk signed a contract with Spartak until the end of the season. On Thursday, he had his first training session with the team. The hockey player was training among a group of players dressed in white sweaters. The center forward of his line was Andrei Loktionov and Maxim Tsyplakov was on the flank.
According to , Kovalchuk is unlikely to play his first match after returning to Spartak tomorrow – in a home match against Dynamo Minsk. There are better chances that Ilya will play his first match on Sunday, when the Spartak team faces Kunlun in Luzhniki.
— What do you think about Ilya Kovalchuk’s return at 40?
– Great comeback! I believe Ilya is a first-rate master. Young people have a lot to learn from him. He will be a burden for Spartak. Kovalchuk can only be considered as a reinforcement. And the fact that he is 40 years old is not a hindrance. Bobby Orr played until he was 50, Jagr is still playing. Age is not an indicator. If you feel ready to fight, to play professional hockey, why not? – Kovalenko told .
Kovalchuk last played in the KHL in late April 2021, when he won the Gagarin Cup with Avangard Omsk. He also played in Russia for Ak Bars Kazan, Khimik near Moscow and SKA Saint Petersburg, with whom he twice won the Gagarin Cup.
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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.
