Ponikarovsky joins Kovalchuk, signs in KHL

Alexei Ponikarovsky played with new KHL teammate Ilya Kovalchuk in two separate stints with the New Jersey Devils. (AP/Mel Evans)

Alexei Ponikarovsky is joining his former New Jersey Devils teammate Ilya Kovalchuk in the Kontinental Hockey League after signing a two-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg, according to Igor Eronko of sports.ru.

Ponikarovsky, 33, spent last season split between the Winnipeg Jets and Devils, registering nine points in 42 total games. He also spent the 2011-12 season in New Jersey where he played with Kovalchuk.

During the lockout, Ponikarovsky played with Donbass HC in the KHL where he had 18 points in 32 games.

In 678 career regular season NHL games, the winger has registered 139 goals, 323 points and 419 penalty minutes.

The Kiev, Ukraine native was drafted in the fourth round (87th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1998 and spent the first nine seasons of his NHL career in Toronto.

Ponikarovsky also spent time playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings and Carolina Hurricanes.

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