History of the NHL's Thrashers in Atlanta
June 24, 2001: With the first pick in the NHL Draft, Atlanta selects forward Ilya Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as league rookie-of-the-year. The three-time All-Star plays eight seasons with the Thrashers, before he is traded to the New Jersey Devils in 2010. AJC File
