Tweet ATLANTA -- Since arriving in Atlanta in October 2001, Ilya Kovalchuk has been one of the NHLs most productive players and colorful personalities. Dallas Cowboys Witten Jersey. Kovalchuk played for the expansion Thrashers for eight seasons before being traded to New Jersey on Thursday. He is the franchises all-time leader in games (594), points (615), goals (328), assists (287), game-winning goals (40), power-play goals (115), power-play points (243) and shots (2,178). Since entering the NHL, he has scored more goals and power-play goals than any NHL player over that period. He also is on a pace for a sixth straight 40-goal season - the only player to do so over that span. Kovalchuk is a three-time All-Star and is about to become a three-time Olympian for Russia. He also competed for Russia at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. In 2003-04, he shared the Rocket Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goals with 41. Of Kovalchuk, Elmer Ferguson Award-winning writer Michael Farber wrote in 2003: "The question is, Which will be more entertaining: watching Kovalchuk score 50 goals or watching him celebrate 50 times?" Here is a look at some of the most memorable moments of his career: April 10, 2001 -- After twice losing the NHLs draft lottery, Thrashers General Manager Don Waddell elects to sit this one out, sending community relations employee Cameron Brent, who won an office contest for writing the best essay as to "why she felt lucky." Seeded third with only a 14.2 percent chance to win the lottery, the Thrashers did just that and selected Kovalchuk with the No. 1 pick on June 23. March 10, 2002 -- Kovalchuk had 29 goals and 22 assists in 65 games before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury in a 6-1 loss to the New York Islanders -- ending his bid to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. Instead, teammate Dany Heatley wins the Calder with three fewer goals but 16 more points in 17 more games. Oct. 5, 2003 -- Thrasher Dan Snyder had died of toxic shock at Grady Memorial Hospital, as a result of an infection that had entered his body from injuries suffered in a horrific car crash with Heatley six days earlier. Word had gotten out among the team members, and they began to gather at Atlantas Grady Memorial Hospital. Snyders mother LuAnn recalled seeing a very young-looking Kovalchuk weeping and not recognizing him at first. To try to console him, she said, she offered him a piece of the watch that her son was wearing at the time of the accident. The watch had been severed in several pieces by the violence of the crash. LuAnn Snyder recalled her conversation with Kovalchuk as follows: "Its going to be a hard year. You have to work hard and you have to be a leader. You have to work hard and you have to be a leader. You dont have to play for Dan, but be there for him. He said, Yes, I will do this and I will try. I promise." Kovalchuk tied for the NHL lead in goals that season with 41. Before the Thrashers visited the rink that was built in Snyders hometown of Elmira, Ontario, and named in Snyders honor, Kovalchuk told NHL.com this past October, "I think its important, because Dan, he was a member of our team. Hes still a member of our team. Hes always going to be with us. When his name is there, it means were there, too. For us, its going to be a big deal to see the fans, to see the rink." Feb. 5, 2004 -- Kovalchuk was voted a starter for the Eastern Conference for the 2004 All-Star Game in St. Paul, Minn., but in the Thrashers last game before the break he committed a turnover with 5:31 into the second period. The turnover helped turn a 1-0 Thrashers lead over Philadelphia into a 5-1 loss. Kovalchuk was trying to stickhandle through three Flyers and beat his friend, defenseman Danny Markov -- but Markov stole the puck and turned it into an assist as the Flyers pulled away. Thrashers coach Bob Hartley benched Kovalchuk for the rest of the game. Despite playing on the 2006-07 Southeast Division champions, Kovalchuk has never finished a season even or better. He was plus-1 when he was traded. Nov. 11, 2005 -- With huge