Salavat Yulaev, the former striker for Ak Bars and Dynamo, along with three-time world hockey champion with the Russian national team, has urged 41-year-old Ilya Kovalchuk to keep playing next season. The comments come from Tereshchenko, who cited words from Legal betting.
Tereshchenko believes Kovalchuk can still be effective at the Kontinental Hockey League level. He noted that Kovalchuk was a valuable contributor for Spartak last season. According to Tereshchenko, Ilya is a true professional who can be a strong presence both in the locker room and on the ice.
Kovalchuk signed with Spartak in December 2023 after taking a two-year hiatus. In 2021, he helped Avangard win the Gagarin Cup and later moved into the position of general manager for the Russian national team. In 2023, he chose to return to playing hockey.
Tereshchenko added that the decision to continue will depend entirely on Kovalchuk himself: his desire to keep competing and his current physical readiness. The veteran star’s continued presence could set a benchmark for how players train and prepare, both on the ice and off it.
Last season, Kovalchuk appeared in 25 KHL games, tallying four goals and four assists. His experience and leadership have often been highlighted as a model for younger players seeking longevity in the league.
Earlier reporting noted the significance of Kovalchuk’s achievement as one of the first Russian national team players to record a hat-trick, underscoring his impact across different levels of competition. [Source: Legal betting]