Johnathan Kovacevic

Last updated

Johnathan Kovacevic
Born (1997-07-12) July 12, 1997 (age 27)
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 223 lb (101 kg; 15 st 13 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 New Jersey Devils
Winnipeg Jets
Montreal Canadiens
NHL draft 74th overall, 2017
Winnipeg Jets
Playing career 2019–present

Johnathan Kovacevic (born July 12, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 74th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Kovacevic has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens.

Contents

Playing career

Winnipeg Jets

Kovacevic was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the third round, 74th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. [1]

After three collegiate seasons with Merrimack, Kovacevic signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Jets on March 17, 2019. [2] He made his professional debut with the Jets' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, on April 19, 2019, scoring one goal and registering an assist against the Chicago Wolves. [3]

On August 13, 2021, Kovacevic was re-signed by the Jets to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,000 at the NHL level. [4] [5] In the following 2021–22 season, Kovacevic was recalled from the Moose and played in his first NHL game with the Jets on January 28, 2022 against the Vancouver Canucks, finishing the game with one shot on goal in 10:21 of ice time. [6]

As a restricted free agent, Kovacevic was re-signed to a three-year contract extension with the Jets on July 22, 2022. [7]

Montreal Canadiens

After attending the Jets' 2022 training camp in preparation for the 2022–23 season, Kovacevic was placed on waivers during the pre-season. He was claimed the following day by the Montreal Canadiens on October 8, 2022. [8] Acquired by the Canadiens to help with weakness on the right side of the defence corps, Kovacevic made his debut in the season opener versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 12 and immediately became a regular part of the lineup. He surpassed his prior NHL appearance total within eight days of his first game. [9] [10] Kovacevic was regularly paired with rookie defenceman Jordan Harris, and drew praise from the coaching staff. On November 14, Canadiens executive Jeff Gorton advised Kovacevic to find regular accommodations in Montreal, indicating that he had found a permanent roster berth for the foreseeable future. He remarked on the occasion that "it gives me a little bit of an idea that they like what they see from me, they want me for a bit of a longer haul. Because when you’re picked up on waivers, you never really know." [11]

On December 6, 2022, Kovacevic scored his first career NHL goal in a 4–2 road victory against the Seattle Kraken. [12]

New Jersey Devils

Prior to the beginning of the NHL free agency period, Kovacevic was traded to the New Jersey Devils on June 30, 2024 in exchange for a fourth round selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. [13]

Personal life

Kovacevic's parents are immigrants from the former SFR Yugoslavia. His father, Novica, is from Montenegro, and his mother, Angie, is from Bosnia and Herzegovina. [14]

Kovacevic holds a civil engineering degree from Merrimack College. [15]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2014–15 Ottawa Jr. Senators CCHL 525141920100336
2015–16Ottawa Jr. SenatorsCCHL2128106—————
2015–16 Hawkesbury Hawks CCHL3062026211007710
2016–17 Merrimack College HE 363161930—————
2017–18 Merrimack CollegeHE342151714—————
2018–19 Merrimack CollegeHE314141814—————
2018–19 Manitoba Moose AHL 11122—————
2019–20 Manitoba MooseAHL45481233—————
2020–21 Manitoba MooseAHL292121423—————
2021–22 Manitoba MooseAHL621119304550002
2021–22 Winnipeg Jets NHL 40002—————
2022–23 Montreal Canadiens NHL773121539—————
2023–24 Montreal CanadiensNHL62671342—————
NHL totals1439192883—————

Awards and honours

AwardYear
CCHL
All-Rookie Team2015
Third All-Star Team2016

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Harrison</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1982)

Jay Harrison is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes and the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Thompson</span> American ice hockey player (born 1984)

Nathan Scott Thompson is an American former professional ice hockey forward. He played for the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets. The Bruins drafted him in the sixth round at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Chiarot</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Ben Chiarot is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 120th overall, by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Chiarot has previously played for the Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Armia</span> Finnish ice hockey player (born 1993)

Joel Armia is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 16th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Armia has also previously played professionally for Porin Ässät of the SM-liiga as well as the Winnipeg Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Allen (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Jake Allen is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 34th overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. Allen has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Wideman</span> American ice hockey player (born 1990)

Chris Wideman is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He was selected in the fourth round, 100th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 2009 NHL entry draft. Wideman played for the Senators, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, and Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League (NHL), as well as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Matheson</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Michael Matheson is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Matheson has also previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Anderson (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Joshua Anderson is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 95th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. A power forward known for speed and physicality, Anderson became known as "the Powerhorse".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sami Niku</span> Finnish ice hockey player (born 1996)

Sami Niku is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with EHC Kloten of the National League (NL). He was selected in the seventh round, 198th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikhail Sergachev</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1998)

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Sergachev is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Utah Hockey Club of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected ninth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016 NHL entry draft. Sergachev won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

Victor Joseph Mete is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 100th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Mete has also previously played for the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Gustav Lindström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently on a professional tryout (PTO) with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 38th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2017 NHL entry draft. Lindström has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens and Ducks of the NHL. He played for Frölunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) before coming to North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Romanov (ice hockey, born 2000)</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 2000)

Alexander Stanislavovich Romanov is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 38th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

The 2020–21 Ottawa Senators season was the 29th season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Senators finished the season out of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

Emil Heineman is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 43rd overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Justin Barron is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 25th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2020 NHL entry draft.

The 2021–22 Winnipeg Jets season was the 23rd season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 25, 1997, and the 11th in Winnipeg, since the franchise relocated from Atlanta prior to the start of the 2011–12 NHL season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dylan Samberg</span> American ice hockey player (born 1999)

Dylan Michael Samberg is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL).

The 2022–23 Winnipeg Jets season was the 24th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 25, 1997, and the 12th in Winnipeg, since the franchise relocated from Atlanta prior to the start of the 2011–12 NHL season. This was the first season since the Jets moved from Atlanta that the team did not have a captain, as Blake Wheeler was stripped of his captaincy on September 16, 2022. The Jets clinched a playoff spot after defeating the Minnesota Wild on April 11, 2023, but lost to the Pacific Division champion and eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, in five games in the First Round.

Arber Xhekaj is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally undrafted by teams in the NHL, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with Montreal in October 2021.

References

  1. ↑ Clinton, Mitchell (June 24, 2017). "Kovacevic proud to wear Jets colours". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved January 28, 2022– via NHL.com.
  2. ↑ "Jets sign Johnathan Kovacevic". Winnipeg Jets. March 16, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2022– via NHL.com.
  3. ↑ Fink, Daniel (March 17, 2019). "Recap: Moose 6 at Chicago 2". Manitoba Moose. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Jets sign defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic to a one-year, two-way contract". Winnipeg Jets. August 13, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2022– via NHL.com.
  5. ↑ Hobson, Russ (August 13, 2021). "Winnipeg Jets sign defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic". Global News . Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  6. ↑ Clinton, Mitchell (January 27, 2022). "Jets close home stand with loss to Vancouver". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved January 28, 2022– via NHL.com.
  7. ↑ "Jets sign defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic to a three-year contract". Winnipeg Jets. July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022– via NHL.com.
  8. ↑ "Canadiens claim Jonathan Kovacevic off waivers". Montreal Canadiens. October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022– via NHL.com.
  9. ↑ Cowan, Stu (October 19, 2022). "Rearguard Kovacevic realizing lifelong dream with Canadiens". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  10. ↑ Cowan, Stu (November 3, 2022). "Johnathan Kovacevic making the most of his chance with Canadiens". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  11. ↑ Basu, Arpon (November 16, 2022). "Canadiens' Johnathan Kovacevic has found some permanence after long road to NHL". The Athletic . Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  12. ↑ Cowan, Stu (December 7, 2022). "First NHL goal 'feels great' for Johnathan Kovacevic". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Canadiens acquire a fourth-round pick in 2026 from the New Jersey Devils". Montreal Canadiens. June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024– via NHL.com.
  14. ↑ https://theathletic.com/3099765/2022/01/29/how-johnathan-kovacevics-family-story-helps-him-put-his-hockey-pursuit-in-perspective/
  15. ↑ "Johnathan Kovacevic - Men's Ice Hockey". Merrimack College Athletics. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.