[2] Kovachik was born and raised in Woodstock, Ontario, where he started officiating while playing minor hockey at age 12.

[2] Kovachik made his NHL debut on October 10, 1996, for a game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Joining the young linesman at the CoreStates Center was Ron Asselstine and referee Stephen Walkom.

[1] Kovachik was promoted to a full time official for the 1997–98 season, and worked his first playoff game on April 14, 2001.

[a][7][1] Commenting on the milestone, then Edmonton Oilers head coach Ken Hitchcock noted that Kovachik was "one of the best" and that "when he calls a game, you know it is going to be under control.