Published Mar 12, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 34\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Edmonton Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Edmonton Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Kovacevich had that mental toughness and ability to get on the came during his youth when he became a lifelong Edmonton Oilers fan.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Recommended Videos<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cKovy,\u201d as his teammates call him, grew up in Edmonton, where the Oilers were more than just a team \u2014 they were a symbol of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of greatness.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been playing his whole life,\u201d Kovacevich says. \u201cIt\u2019s just who he is.<\/p>\n But for the younger Kovacevich, the path to the ice wasn\u2019t as simple as lacing up a pair of skates. Born with a spina bifida, and didn\u2019t even know para hockey existed until his father discovered it at a local rink.<\/p>\n \u201cI had no idea it was even an option,\u201d he recalls. \u201cBut the first time I tried it, I was hooked. I\u2019d always loved hockey, and this was my chance to play.\u201d<\/p>\n Kovacevich began his wheelchair-athlete career on the hardwood, playing wheelchair basketball. He enjoyed it, yes, but hockey flows in his veins.<\/p>\n Edmonton Sun Headline News<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIt just wasn\u2019t for me,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n His move to Calgary last June was a significant step, one he made with a clear goal in mind.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a couple of teammates there, and our strength coach, has been incredible. It\u2019s all about getting ready for the Paralympic year, and this was the right move for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n TAIT: Canada’s Paralympic hockey success showcases power of inclusion<\/p>\n <\/a> TAIT: Canada bests strong Czechia squad in para ice hockey in Milan<\/p>\n <\/a> His dedication hasn\u2019t gone unnoticed. His teammates and coaches speak of him with admiration and respect.<\/p>\n \u201cKovy is an unbelievable human with an amazing attitude,\u201d head coach Boris Rybalka says. \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKovy 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.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a powerful player with great forechecking strength,\u201d a coach notes. \u201cBut it\u2019s not just his physicality that sets him apart \u2014 it\u2019s his character.\u201d<\/p>\n Kovacevich played his first game Tuesday in Canada\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n This is the first Paralympics for the 29-year-old forward, who has been part of the national program for the past eight seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cHockey has taught me perseverance,\u201d Kovaecevich says. \u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Kovacevich\u2019s story is one of resilience, determination, and an unshakable love for the game. It\u2019s a story that reminds us all of the power of hockey \u2014 not just to entertain, but to inspire, to unite, and to lift us to new heights.<\/p>\n And in Edmonton, where hockey is a way of life, Kovy\u2019s journey is a testament to the spirit of the game and the city that lives and breathes it.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Canada has defeated China in their last three meetings, including a 7-0 win.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Bookmark our website and support our journalism:\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0miss the news you need to know \u2014 add\u00a0EdmontonJournal.com<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0EdmontonSun.com<\/a>\u00a0to your bookmarks and\u00a0sign up for our newsletters here.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today:\u00a0The Edmonton Journal<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/a>The Edmonton Sun<\/a>.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Breadcrumb Trail Links ColumnistsHockey Published Mar 12, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 34\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read You…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":532577,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194294],"tags":[49,48,23752],"class_list":{"0":"post-532576","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-edmonton","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-edmonton"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=532576"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532576\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/532577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=532576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=532576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=532576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Micah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2265655318_301947129.jpg\")
Micah Kovacevich #29 of Team Canada is challenged by Masahiro Matsushita #7 of Team Japan during the Para Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Match between Team Japan and Team Canada on day three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on March 09, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Photo by Darrian Traynor \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Edmonton](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.7.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-esun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Micah Kovacevich and Tyrone Henry of Team Canada speak during a training session ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on March 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Photo by James Fearn \/Getty Images<\/p>\n