The coaching changes have continued for the Red Wings’ organization; this time, it’s a change in Grand Rapids.
Longtime Griffins assistant coach Jim Paek is taking the head coach and program director positions for the Korea Ice Hockey Association’s national team, it was announced today.
Paek, the first Korean-born player to ever play in the NHL, had coached with the Griffins for the past nine seasons. He will now have the responsibility of guiding the Korean national team into what they hope will be an appearance in the 2018 Winter Olympics, which will take place in PyeongChang.
“The idea of coaching the National Team in the Olympics is one of my dreams. 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 was born in Korea and then moved to Toronto with his family when he was a 1-year-old. After three years in the Ontario Hockey League, he made his professional debut with the IHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, playing in Michigan for three seasons before making the jump to the Canadian national team and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
During his time in Pittsburgh, he became the first Korean-born player to skate in the NHL, and the first Korean player to have his name etched onto the Stanley Cup.
“The Detroit Red Wings congratulate Jim Paek on his appointment to the Korea Ice Hockey Association and Korean National Team,” said Ryan Martin, assistant general manager of the Red Wings. “We are thrilled and excited for him on his well-deserved opportunity. With the 2018 Winter Olympics to be held in Pyeongchang, this is a tremendous opportunity for Jim to oversee the development of hockey players, coaches and administrators across all levels of hockey in his native South Korea.
“As the longest-tenured coach in Grand Rapids history, Jim has been instrumental in the development of many current Red Wings, including Jakub Kindl, Jonathan Ericsson, Justin Abdelkader, Jimmy Howard, Tomas Tatar, Darren Helm, Gustav Nyquist and Brendan Smith, to name a few. Jim won two Stanley Cups as a player with Pittsburgh and a Calder Cup as a coach in Grand Rapids. He possesses a wealth of experience as a player and coach at all levels, as well as a strong passion for hockey development. Jim’s multi-faceted skill set will be a great asset in leading the Korea Ice Hockey Association in developing its national programs.”