Ilya Kovalchuk Retiring from NHL

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey forward Ilya Kovalchuk is retiring from the NHL and returning to Russia. The move is surprising because Kovalchuk signed a $100 million, 15-year contract in 2010. He'll be walking away from it.

Kovalchuk spent his last four seasons with the Devils, helping them reach the Stanley Cup finals in 2012. He scored 417 goals and 399 assists for 816 points in games with New Jersey and Atlanta, which traded him to New Jersey.