TAIT: Edmonton Paralympian prepares for hockey playoff round in Milano Cortina |
With the Canadian para ice hockey team preparing for its semifinal showdown Friday against China, Edmontonian native Micah Kovacevich will be ready for whatever needs to be done.
Kovacevich had that mental toughness and ability to get on the came during his youth when he became a lifelong Edmonton Oilers fan.
TAIT: Edmonton Paralympian prepares for hockey playoff round in Milano Cortina Back to video
“Kovy,” as his teammates call him, grew up in Edmonton, where the Oilers were more than just a team — they were a symbol of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of greatness.
His father, Marian, played a pivotal role in fostering that love. A lifelong hockey player, he still skates in an over-55 league in Edmonton.
“He’s been playing his whole life,” Kovacevich says. “It’s just who he is.
But for the younger Kovacevich, the path to the ice wasn’t as simple as lacing up a pair of skates. Born with a spina bifida, and didn’t even know para hockey existed until his father discovered it at a local rink.
“I had no idea it was even an option,” he recalls. “But the first time I tried it, I was hooked. I’d always loved hockey, and this was my chance to play.”
Kovacevich began his wheelchair-athlete career on the hardwood, playing wheelchair basketball. He enjoyed it, yes, but hockey flows in his veins.
“It just wasn’t for me,” he says.
That chance turned into a calling: a journey in para hockey has been defined by hard work, determination, and an unwavering commitment to his team and his country.
His move to Calgary last June was a significant step, one he made with a clear goal in mind.
“I’ve got a couple of teammates there, and our strength coach, has been incredible. It’s all about getting ready for the Paralympic year, and this was the right move for me.”
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His dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. His teammates and coaches speak of him with admiration and respect.
“Kovy is an unbelievable human with an amazing attitude,” head coach Boris Rybalka says. “This past year, he has improved a lot, and that is a credit to Kovy for the hard work he has put in at Hub ice and also when we are together as a team.”
“Kovy always has a smile on his face and is the most unselfish person I have seen. He is always looking out for his teammates, his team, and our great country.
“He is a powerful player with great forechecking strength,” a coach notes. “But it’s not just his physicality that sets him apart — it’s his character.”
Kovacevich played his first game Tuesday in Canada’s 14-0 win over Japan. He logged 11 shifts in 11:07 of ice time, four shots on net and chalked up a plus-3.
This is the first Paralympics for the 29-year-old forward, who has been part of the national program for the past eight seasons.
“Hockey has taught me perseverance,” Kovaecevich says. “It’s taught me to never quit. There are so many things out of your control, but you can always show up and work hard. No one can ever take that away from you.”
Kovacevich’s story is one of resilience, determination, and an unshakable love for the game. It’s a story that reminds us all of the power of hockey — not just to entertain, but to inspire, to unite, and to lift us to new heights.
And in Edmonton, where hockey is a way of life, Kovy’s journey is a testament to the spirit of the game and the city that lives and breathes it.
Canada has defeated China in their last three meetings, including a 7-0 win.
China placed second in Pool A, giving up 8 goals in three games. Canada, on the other hand, has given up one goal in the same number of games.
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