New Challenges for Korean Hockey Under Former NHL Champion

(ATR) Jim Paek has twice hoisted the coveted Stanley Cup trophy, but preparing the South Korean men’s hockey team for its Olympic debut in PyeongChang could be his most difficult career challenge.

"It will be a moment that I personally will never forget," Paek tells Around the Rings, envisioning what his Olympic head coaching experience on home ice will be like. "It will be a very special moment for sure."

The Korean-born Canadian played with the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins in the early 1990’s, winning two Stanley Cup titles alongside stars Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. Paek was the first Korean-born hockey player to both play in the elite league and have his name engraved on the prestigious trophy.

After nearly a decade of coaching within the Detroit Red Wings system, Paek, 49, jumped at the opportunity to lead the South Koreans. He is currently in his third season as head coach of the Korean men’s national hockey team, in addition to his role as director of hockey for the Korean Ice Hockey Association. Seoul, where Paek was born, is now home.

"There’s lots to learn and it’s all part of the process," Paek says. "There are a lot of things that we have to improve, but there are a lot of things that we did improve. We’re on our way and there are more positives than negatives."

Granted an invitation as the host country, PyeongChang 2018 will mark South Korea’s first-ever Olympic ice hockey appearance.

"The goal is be competitive," Paek says. "Control what you can control, go out there and work our hardest and see where that leads us."

International Ice Hockey Federation president René Fasel commended Paek for his dedication and commitment developing the program.

"Jim has used his extensive experience and knowledge of the sport to provide guidance and direction to the Korean Ice Hockey Association as the team prepares for the Olympic Games," Fasel tells ATR.

"He helped the KIHA assemble and present to the IIHF a detailed development plan for Korean ice hockey that was very encouraging and helped push the case for Korea’s inclusion into the men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments."

As colossal underdogs in PyeongChang, Paek’s ever-improving squad should receive a boost of momentum skating on home ice in front of Korean supporters next February.

The South Koreans will be grouped with two-time defending Olympic champion Canada, in addition to proven hockey nations Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

"With hockey you never know, you can get some puck luck here and there," Paek says when asked about the team’s goals in Korea. "Goalie stands on his head and all of a sudden you get one going off the shin pad and boom. That’s the craziness of our sport."

"The players have been doing a great job," Paek adds, regarding the inexperienced hockey program. "Our philosophy is get better every day and every time we step on the ice, we’re getting a little bit better."

Paek guided the Koreans to a 2-1 record and silver medal at the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo last month. His team exceeded expectations, defeating China and host Japan, while only faltering to the gold medalists from Kazakhstan.

"It’s been great so far, especially with the Asian countries here developing and now we can help each other," Paek said of the tournament and ongoing growth of the winter sport in Asia.

South Korea is currently ranked 23rd in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) world rankings.

There are only about 2,500 registered hockey players in South Korea and 43 rinks, so depth is lacking. As a result, the South Korean team could house a half-dozen Canadians and an American who have played in the Asian country long enough to hold South Korean passports.

"The biggest (improvement) is in the culture," Paek says about developing the sport in Korea. "We first came in and we changed the mentality of the team and that’s been a huge part of it."

The former NHL defenseman – who played five seasons in North America’s elite league before a lengthy career in the minors – will also oversee the South Korean ladies in PyeongChang in his role as director of hockey. It will be another tall order as the Koreans are the eighth ranked team among eight countries participating in the women’s Olympic tournament.

Paek’s biggest personal on ice accomplishment was most likely scoring his first NHL goal in the Penguins’ title-clinching game against the Minnesota North Stars in 1991. Any accomplishments behind the bench of the underdog Koreans in PyeongChang could spark a similar thrill.

Written by Brian Pinelli

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