Ilya Kovalchuk’s wife, Nicole, trekking in Mt. Everest Base Camp; Exploring the former NHLer's relationship history

Ilya Kovalchuk was born in Tver, Russia, and was raised by his father to be a sports star.

From a young age, he excelled in many sports, including hockey, swimming, and gymnastics. He started his professional hockey career at the age of 16 and has played for various teams, including the Atlanta Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, and the Russian national team.

In 2002, Ilya met Nicole, a former singer and model, and they fell in love. Their love story began like any other, but what sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to each other.

Despite the challenges that come with being a professional athlete, Ilya and Nicole have managed to keep their relationship strong over the years.

Nicole is highly athletic. She and The Wonton Don, a foreign correspondent at Barstoolsports, were spotted trekking near the Everest Base Camp. Like other trekkers, she was on a trekking adventure to explore the mountains and document her experience.

The couple married after having their first child, Karolina, in 2005. They organized two weddings, one in Moscow and another in Tver, to celebrate their love with family and friends. They have been together for over a decade and have had three more children together.

Throughout their relationship, Nicole has been a rock for Ilya, supporting him through the highs and lows of his career. She was there to celebrate his victories and to comfort him in times of defeat.

Although Nicole is a former singer and model, she made the decision to step back from her career to focus on her family and her role as a wife and mother.

A look at Ilya Kovalchuk's spectacular NHL career

Philadelphia Flyers v Washington Capitals

Ilya Kovalchuk is a name that will forever be associated with ice hockey. Born on April 15, 1983, in Tver, Russia, Kovalchuk quickly made a name for himself as a highly skilled and talented hockey player.

He started his journey in the youth system of Spartak Moscow and quickly climbed the ranks to join their senior team in the Vysshaya Liga in 1999. After two successful seasons with Spartak, he caught the eye of the Atlanta Thrashers, who selected him first overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Thus began Kovalchuk's successful career in the NHL, where he played for a total of five different teams over the course of his 14-year stint in the league. He played for the Atlanta Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals, becoming a highly sought-after player in the process.

Ilya Kovalchuk's contributions to the NHL cannot be overstated. He is tied for fourth all-time in the NHL for regular-season overtime goals scored, and he is the seventh-highest scoring Russian in NHL history.

Additionally, Kovalchuk has twice been named to the end-of-season All-Star team and was a co-recipient of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal-scorer in 2004.