How Colten Kovich’s upbringing led to a life of determination

In the job description of a hockey defenseman, the word “glory” doesn’t often appear. It’s all in the grit — getting the job done that not many would jump to execute. 

Liberty defenseman Colten Kovich, however, sees the game from a different perspective. For the 23 year old, the glory is found in the details and diligence that stem from a life in hockey.  

Born and raised in Coquitlam, British Columbia, hockey was the game that every child grew up playing. By the time Kovich was 3 years old, he was already learning the skills of skating. As his passion for the game progressed with his age, his development was encouraged by his parents, Ron and Laurie Kovich. 

“My dad didn’t start playing hockey until later in life,” Kovich said. “His parents were very poor growing up, and he didn’t have that opportunity until later on.”

Not only did Ron have one child invested in becoming something on the ice, but two — both Colten and his younger brother, Kyler, caught onto the game quickly, showcasing natural talent from a young age. 

“Everything’s a competition,” Kovich said. “We had a little court in our backyard. We’d have rollerblades on and we’d always play against each other. I beat up on him a little bit, I’m not going to lie, just because I was a little bit bigger than him.” 

Despite the two-year age difference, Colten and Kyler grew in the game together. It was at the age of seven, however, when Colten’s niche on the ice became a bit more evident. In his first year playing spring hockey, coaches made the decision to place Kovich in the defenseman role, a position that his grandfather had once played. 

“It’s something I found enjoyable, quarterbacking a play, being at the top, being the last guy back. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m pretty good at this D thing,’” Kovich said. 

As the young athlete navigated his way through the hockey world, however, he wasn’t doing so alone — there was always a motivating support system to back him.

“My mom is everything to me. The stuff she did to make me and my brother better is crazy,” Kovich said. 

Looking back, however, the Canadian feels his father was his biggest mentor in the game, displaying daily what it means to give one’s best in every situation.  

“To this day, (my dad) puts his body on the line to make sure that I can have every opportunity I can get to be successful in what I do,” Kovich said. “That’s something he was never given. He works hard to give my brother and I the opportunities that we have.” 

Working as a contractor, there truly isn’t a job under the sun that Kovich’s father hasn’t tackled head-on. From metalwork to building custom furniture, to owning his own sawmill and motorcycle company, he showed his children what it means to seize every opportunity with commitment — not just on the ice, but in day-to-day life. 

“You’re just doing the right thing no matter the situation,” Kovich said regarding his father’s influence. “Making beds and stuff like that, it’s not something I used to be good at. But nowadays, my room’s spotless. I don’t have anything out ever. Being hard, but being reasonable about it, just doing the right thing. He never lied to me or was worried about my feelings. He’s always just told me straight how it is … But he’s always there for me.”

Now, as a collegiate hockey player, Kovich carries his father’s teachings of determination to a bigger stage than he once did. Tasked with holding down the back line of a top-tier ACHA program, the discipline to execute the details is more important than ever. Kovich, however, finds joy in the process. 

“I love doing what I do,” Kovich said. “Winning corner battles and getting in the corners and winning a puck battle or laying out and blocking a shot and having the guys hype you up is such a fun feeling … There’s no glory in it, but it needs to be done.”

After spending his junior hockey career playing in the BCHL for the Langley Rivermen and Coquitlam Express, Kovich’s first time truly leaving home came when he moved across North America to join the NCAA D3 Albertus Magnus Falcons in New Haven, Connecticut — the same program graduate goaltender Hunter Virostek attended before making the move to Liberty.

The defenseman spent one season in Connecticut before packing his hockey bag and catching a train to one of Liberty’s prospect camps at the LaHaye Ice Center. The differences Kovich saw between the two programs were stark, and the desire to lace up his skates for the Flames was strong.

“At the Connecticut school, I was driving to go get my skates sharpened,” Kovich said. “We didn’t have a dining hall, and I had to buy my own Under Armor and all my own stuff. And here, everything’s given to you. I’m so grateful for that and having the opportunity to be here.”

Now, in his second season donning the Flames sweater, the defenseman has fit right in since his arrival, with a meticulous mentality both on and off the ice that speaks volumes to those he plays alongside. 

“Even though I don’t wear a letter, I feel as if I have some form of leadership,” Kovich said. “It doesn’t make a difference to me if I’m wearing a letter or not. If I’m not on the ice, I’m a cheerleader on the bench. I’m trying to always have that energy to get the guys up.”

But as each day draws to a close and Kovich leaves the rink, he gives his mom and dad a phone call, once again reminding him of the foundation that has allowed him to reach new heights as a Liberty Flame.

“This is my home now … At the end of the day, I’m taught to give everything its best. The way I play, I’m going to try and do it the best that I can, one hundred percent at all times,” Kovich said. 

Cory is the sports editor for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X