Canadian – Sharks | Johnathan Kovacevic, the “beautiful surprise”

Those who knew Johnathan Kovacevic before the Canadiens claimed him on waivers raise their hands.

No one expected much from the 25-year-old defenseman, whom the Winnipeg Jets were about to demote to the American League. And yet.

Despite the surplus of defenders, the man with two Hs played 19 of the 21 games for the Canadiens this season. He will still be in the lineup Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks, while Arber Xhekaj will be replaced by Jordan Harris. Chris Wideman, who has only played two games since 1^er November, will also be left out.

Asked what he appreciates about Kovacevic, Tuesday morning after training, Martin St-Louis instantly replied: “his intelligence”. “He defends himself well,” he continued. Even offensively, he has intelligence. I didn’t know him, but it’s a nice surprise. »

Mike Matheson, Kovacevic’s locker room neighbor, said similar things. “He plays a really mature game,” he said. He keeps it simple and he’s good defensively. »

These words would undoubtedly make the main interested party happy. At the time of being placed on waivers in early October, Kovacevic was preparing to return to the Manitoba Moose for a fourth season.

The likeable 6’4” colossus therefore had no real expectations when he arrived in Montreal, except to deliver his “best effort” every time he had the opportunity. Three months later, the Ontarian has won his playing time with his reliability and consistency. When asked if he is surprised at his start to the season, he has an interesting answer.

“I dreamed of this and worked for it for so long,” he explained. I know that several players enter the league more quickly. I’m 25, a bit older, but I think everyone goes their own way. Mine taught me a lot about myself, about who I am. »

“It’s uncomfortable coming to a new team and trying to be yourself, on and off the ice. Part of me is a little surprised and part of me, deep down, says to myself: I’ve been working for this for so long. I’m so grateful and I’m not going to take it for granted. »

For the moment, the big number 26 gives itself above all the mission of being reliable. And he’s been doing it pretty well so far, posting a +5 differential with an average playing time of nearly 17 minutes.

“From the first game he arrived, you know what you are going to get. […] Every time he’s on the ice, we feel very comfortable,” mentioned Josh Anderson.

The more the defender gains in confidence, the more he will be “able to make better plays”, according to Kovacevic himself. And this gain in confidence has already begun.

“It’s funny, because there are games where I think: god, I wish I had known that about me 10 games ago. It’s not necessarily about skills per se. It’s more on the mental side; knowing that I am in my place, how I respond to a mistake or how to manage myself in these situations. »