Ilya Kovalchuk quotes:

The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me.

I don't care about [being a star]. The most important thing for me now is just do my job.

I want to keep growing. I should take a couple steps every year if I want to be one of the best players in the league.

This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia. Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me. The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils, a great organization that I have a lot of respect for, and our fans that have been great to me.

I never want to be the poster guy. It's not me.