$Ilya Kovalchuk allegedly committed over 180 driving infractions in past year-and-a-half$

Ilya Kovalchuk. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Ilya Kovalchuk allegedly committed over 180 driving infractions in past year-and-a-half

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated May 13, 2025 5:22 PM ET

Ilya Kovalchuk left North America and the NHL at the end of the 2019-20 season, and since then, it appears his regard for the law has left him as well.

Back in the 2001 NHL Draft, Ilya Kovalchuk was drafted No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Thrashers, and while his career saw plenty of drama and controversy follow him, he would end up playing in 926 games, tallying a solid 876 points in what would end up being a fantastic NHL career.

After the 2019-20 campaign however, he would return to Russia and the KHL, playing in two seasons between 2020 and 2024, but now, the 42-year-old has seemingly hung up his skates for good.

According to reports, Kovalchuk has had almost 200 traffic infractions over the last year-and-a-half including 115 fines for speeding, illegally parking 24 times and 46 times ignoring the road rules and not complying with the requirements of signs.

That is an absolutely ridiculous amount, and it's unclear exactly why he simply refuses to follow the road rules, but what's even more ridiculous is the fact that he is currently still even allowed to get behind a wheel.

It's also unclear exactly how much those infractions have cost him of the money he's earned in the NHL and the KHL throughout his hockey career.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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