Brad Kovachik

Early life Kovachik was born and raised in Woodstock, Ontario, where he started officiating while playing minor hockey at age 12. He played with the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s Woodstock Navy Vets from 1989 to 1992, and was hired as a linesman for the Ontario Hockey League following his final season of junior hockey. He spent three seasons in the OHL, and worked the 1996 Memorial Cup final in Peterborough. His performance caught the attention of the NHL, and he signed a minor league contract that summer. A memorable game for him was his first time officiating the Boston Bruins. He was a fan growing up, and was awestruck being on the ice with his childhood idol Ray Bourque. He would work his first Stanley Cup Final thirteen years later, in 2014.

Since 2014, Kovachik has officiated in the 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2023 Stanley Cup Final, as well as the 2017 Stadium Series.

Personal life Kovachik lives in Fort Erie, Ontario.