Brad Kovachik

NHLOA Member since 1996

Birthplace: Woodstock, ON

Regular Season: 1,766 Games

Playoffs: 200 Games

Stanley Cup Finals: 5

* Game numbers updated as of Oct 1, 2023

Brad Kovachik

Kovachik was born and raised in Woodstock, Ontario, a city located about an hour west of Toronto. The former centerman, played his youth hockey there dreaming just like any other Canadian kids of making the NHL as a player. He would go on and play until the junior levels dressing up for the Woodstock Navy Vets in the Provincial Junior Hockey League of the Ontario Hockey Association in his final three seasons (1989 to 1992). His officiating journey started at the early age of 12, working local games at the old Woodstock Perry Street Arena on the weekends to earn a few bucks. Nine years later, Kovachik was hired by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a linesman. He worked the OHL for a total of three seasons and was selected to work the prestigious Memorial Cup tournament hosted in Peterborough, Ontario in his last season (1995-96). His on-ice performance during the tournament earned him the ultimate assignment of working the championship game between the host team, the Peterborough Petes and the Granby Prédateurs. The National Hockey League (NHL) offered him a minor leagues linesman contract that summer. He made his NHL debut in Phialdelphia on October 10th, 1996 when the Los Angeles Kings were in town to play the Flyers. His teammates that night were referee Stephen Walkom and linesman Ron Asseltine. It only took him one season as a minor league linesman under contract before being promoted to a full time NHL linesman status in the summer of 1997.

Milestones

First NHL Game

October 10, 1996

LA Kings
at
Philadelphia Flyers

First Playoff Game

April 14, 2001

Edmonton Oilers
at
Dallas Stars

1500th Game

March 1, 2019

Pittsburgh Pengiuns
at
Buffalo Sabres

All-Star Games

2012 - OTTAWA, ON

2012 Ottawa All Star Game

Scotiabank Place –
January 29, 2012

Stanley Cup Finals

2023 Stanley Cup

Las Vegas Golden Knights
vs
Florida Panthers

2022 Stanley Cup

Colorado Avalanche
vs
Tampa Bay Lightning

2020 Stanley Cup

Dallas Stars
vs
Tampa Bay Lightning

2017 Stanley Cup

Pittsburgh Pengiuns
vs
Nashville Predators

2014 Stanley Cup

LA Kings
vs
New York Rangers

International

2004 World Cup of Hockey

2004 World Cup of Hockey

CAN / USA / FIN / SWE / CZE /GER

2014 SOCHI Olympics

Sochi Olympics

WINTER OLYMPICS

Outdoor Games

2017 Stadium Series

2017 Stadium Series

February 25, 2017

Heinz Field
Pittsburgh, PA

Philadelphia Flyers
at
Pittsburgh Pengiuns

2008 Winter Classic

2008 Winter Classic

January 1, 2008

Ralph Wilson Stadium
Orchard Park, NY

Pittsburgh Pengiuns
at
Buffalo Sabres