Former NHL-er Jim Paek named head coach of South Korea's men's national team
South Korea will host the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, but it's not yet clear that they'll be permitted to participate in the marquee event of the Winter Olympics.
It was recently reported by the Korea Times that the IIHF has stipulated to the Korean Ice Hockey Association (KIHA) that the South Korean men's national ice hockey team must show "progress in performance" between now and 2018; otherwise they won't be allowed to participate in the 2018 tournament that they're hosting. The bench mark is likely a world ranking of 18th.
In an effort to give their national team some direction, the KIHA has announced the hire of former Pittsburgh Penguins forward and two-time Stanley Cup winner Jim Paek, who became the first Korean-born hockey player to play in the National Hockey League during the 1990-91 season.
"The idea of coaching the National Team in the Olympics is one of my dreams," Paek said, via IIHF.com. "I've always wanted to help develop Korean hockey. I've returned to Korea many times to run hockey schools and coached Korean teams travelling to Canada. What a great opportunity I have now.
"I know Korea hockey is aiming for the 2018 Winter Games, it's a great challenge but if we are organized and have a plan and teach the process good things will come. We cannot lose focus on the process."
Paek has spent the past nine seasons as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings' top minor league affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.
[H/T Kukla's Korner]