Skating on Ottawa ice for the first time since last April’s season-ending knee injury, Alex Kovalev proclaimed himself as good as new Wednesday.

In fact, Kovalev is so ready for his 18th NHL season that he spoke of having another 12 or 13 of them in him.

“My goal is to play until 50,” the 37-year-old Russian told the Ottawa Sun after his first scrimmage with his teammates at Bell Sensplex. “If they keep me here until 50, I’d love to play until 50. I mean, this is what I live my life for, the surroundings, and you guys, and teammates and fans. I’m not the person to be staying home and being by myself, watching TV. I’m kind of an active person. I like to do something with other people. I’m enjoying being in this life, the hockey life.”