Ilya Kovalchuk: Nobody really loved and understood hockey at Atlanta Thrashers

New Jersey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk commented on the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg.

«Probably, the Thrashers players would be upset. Atlanta is a good city. And Winnipeg is far from being a sunny land. It would be hard to adapt thee. However, Canadian fans are very fond of hockey. The stadium will always be full. So the team will benefit from moving in some ways.»

«You played for the Thrashers from 2001 to 2010. Pavel Bure said it was a lost time. Do you agree?»

«We managed to get into the play-off only once. I do not remember any other achievements. In my opinion, their main problem is the owner of the club. There never was a man who truly loved and understood hockey. It is hard to achieve something with such people.

«A couple of years ago, one of the Thrashers owners said: «Hey, Russians, buy the team, please!»

«You see, it is impossible to win anything with such an attitude to hockey. So, there will be only basketball in Atlanta. Maybe, this is a good move. There will be the seventh hockey club in Canada. The interest in hockey and in the league will grow.»

«Have you ever been to Winnipeg?»

«In fact, never. I know that it’s cold there, but if the Thrashers move there, I will visit Winnipeg anyway. Then I’ll share my impressions,» said Kovalchuk as quoted by Sovetsky Sport.