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January 19, 2018

Host Koreans Import Hockey Stars

Korean hockey coaches Jim Paek and Richard Park have NHL pedigree. Paek, who was born in Seoul but raised in Canada, played in 217 NHL games and won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 1992. Park, his assistant, was also born in Seoul but raised in America. He played 738 games in the NHL.

The host nation must be somewhat relieved that the world's best are not coming to the hockey tournament. The Koreans, ranked 23rd in the world in both men's and women's hockey, have little chance in this tournament as it is. Can you imagine if Team Canada got a hold of them?

Paek and Park's final Olympic roster includes seven imports, of sorts. All have become Korean citizens and have played for Asian league teams, in some cases for several years.

Goaltender Matt Dalton, defencemen Alex Plante, Eric Regan and Bryan Young, and forwards Brock Radunske and Michael Swift are originally from Canada. Forward Mike Testwuide from the Untied States.

Radunske is the most senior import, having played in Korea since 2008. He is the most popular of the imports due to his good looks. The Michigan State alum has been dubbed "Canadian Big Beauty."

Plante is a former first round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers. The defenseman played 10 games in the NHL.

Blue line teammate Bryan Young actually has more NHL experience, with 15 games also with the Edmonton Oilers.

Dalton has AHL and KHL experience. Never drafted, he was once signed by the Boston Bruins.

Regan is a former Oshawa Generals defenseman who was signed by the Anaheim Ducks. He played briefly at the AHL level.

Swift is a former Mississauga Ice Dogs forward who played three seasons in the AHL.

Testwiude was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers as an undrafted free agent after a career at Colorado College. He played three seasons in the AHL.

Here is the full Korean roster.


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