UN-Selfish Sniper: The Evolution of Ilya Kovalchuk

When Ilya Kovalchuk was drafted 1st overall by the Atlanta Thrashers, there was some debate about whether that was the right choice, given Jason Spezza was also there for the taking. Both the Senators and Thrashers (up until this year) are probably quite happy with the way things turned out, with both players putting up huge numbers in the big league.
Early in his career, I was not a fan of Kovy, because I labeled him as being a stereotypical ego-driven superstar. I remember when the Thrashers made the playoffs for the first time, and he was average at best (in 4 games, 2 points, -1 rating and 19 penalty minutes!). During one game when the opposition was not only gaining the neutral zone but entering the Thrashers zone at full force, Kovalchuk lazily skated to the bench on an ill-timed line change. I was disgusted. Then there's this incident between him and Crosby (given, Crosby was not without fault for being a huge whiner here, but the finger point was a little much for my taste).



Over the years however, Kovalchuk has in my opinion, evolved into a mature, classy leader. I don't love Kovalchuk, as there are still parts of his game that don't make him a complete package (inconsistent back-checking, occasional floater). But I like him a lot. As he entered his early and mid-twenties, he started standing up for himself, and not taking any crap from anybody. He turned into a decent fighter, someone his teammates could rally around.



But last week, during a game against Montreal, Kovy solidified my respect for him when he unselfishly opted to not pad his stats by scoring an empty net goal (though he easily could have), but instead dropped the puck for Brian Rolston. This gave Rolston a prime opportunity to score his 700th NHL point, which he did. Kovy then proceeded to immediately grab the puck, and with a huge smile, passed it to Rolston on the bench.

http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/03/post_12.html

It's plays like that that I absolutely love, and that teammates love. Kovalchuk seems to be fitting in well in New Jersey, and he has turned into a dangerous combination of incredibly gifted offensive talent and focused leader. Well done sir, you're one hell of a hockey player.