Ilya Valeryevich Kovalchuk (Russian: Илья́
Вале́рьевич Ковальчу́к, IPA: [ɨˈlʲja
kəvɐlʲˈtɕuk]; born April 15, 1983) is a Russian
professional ice hockey left winger, currently playing for
the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Drafted first overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the
Atlanta Thrashers, he began his NHL career in 2001–02 with
the team and was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as
league rookie-of-the-year. He is a three-time NHL All-Star
and won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's leading
goal-scorer in 2004 in a three-way tie with Jarome Iginla
and Rick Nash. After eight seasons with the Thrashers, he
was traded to the Devils in 2010.