New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk announced his retirement from the National Hockey League, walking away from the final 12 years of his controversial 15-year contract.
“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,” Devils president Lou Lamoriello.
“On behalf of the entire organization, I wish Ilya and his family all the best in their future endeavors.”
Russia’s Kovalchuk had 11 goals and 20 assists in 37 games with New Jersey last season.
He said he’d been pondering this decision since the bitter work stoppage over financial issues that shortened the last NHL campaign.
“This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia,” Kovalchuk said in a statement released by the Devils.
“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.”
The Devils provoked the ire of the NHL when they inked Kovalchuk to a 17-year, $102 million contract in September of 2010, which the league said circumvented salary cap rules.
The deal had to be reworked, with the two sides eventually agreeing on a revised 15-year contract.
Devils forward Kovalchuk retires
