New Canadiens player Kovalchuk gifts teammate expensive watch for giving up his number

Would you trade a couple of digits for a Rolex watch?

The Montreal Canadiens newest player, Ilya Kovalchuk, gifted defenceman Brett Kulak, formerly number 17, a brand new watch for giving up his jersey number.

Since his arrival in the NHL in 2001, (including a five-year hiatus when he joined the KHL), Kovalchuk has always worn number 17 during his three-team career in Atlanta, New Jersey, and Los Angeles.

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According to Kulak, Kovalchuk was “super appreciative” of the number swap and had “thanks for number 17” engraved on the back of the Rolex.

A jersey number for a watch?

Deal. 🤝#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/vMCNJ13smt

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 5, 2020

Before making his Canadiens debut tonight at the Bell Centre versus the Winnipeg Jets, the newest Hab surprised the media by speaking a little bit of French.

 

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A post shared by Canadiens de Montréal (@canadiensmtl) on Jan 4, 2020 at 2:59pm PST

Before the Los Angeles Kings terminated his contract in December, Kovalchuk had nine points in 17 games.

It seems like the number 17 is already pretty relevant in Montreal, a trend that hopefully continues as the Canadiens skate into the gruelling winter months of the season.