Korean national team member to join UPEI Women’s Hockey program
University of Prince Edward Island women's hockey coach Bruce Donaldson is excited to announce Korean national hockey team member Ye Eun Park has committed to join the team for the 2015-16 season.
Park, who plays defence, is from Seoul, South Korea, and currently plays on the Korean national hockey team. She soon will be attending the World Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Coach Donaldson says, 'This is exciting for our school as Ye Eun will open the door for other elite, international players to now take a hard look at UPEI. The next Olympic Games are in South Korea so by her coming to UPEI, she will play at a high level in Canada, be on the ice daily, and continue to develop within her national program.'
'Academically she is exceptionally strong,' adds Donaldson. 'And, as a player, her skillset will be an excellent addition to our program. I can see her being paired with one of our senior defence so she can continue to mature in strength and skill. Her work ethic is very impressive.'
Park started to play hockey when she was eight years old and has played for the South Korea women's national team since she was 15. Two years ago, she moved to Canada to develop her game and is now playing for the Ontario Hockey Academy in Cornwall, Ontario.
She looks forward to starting at UPEI in September and comments, 'I am very excited and it means a lot to me because I get to play a higher level of hockey in Canada. With South Korea hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics, I am doing everything I can to improve and develop to secure my spot and play for the Korean national team. I think UPEI is a great place to me to be to achieve my goal.'
Parks is enrolled in UPEI's Bachelor of Science program.
About UPEI Athletics and Recreation
- Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
- Proud member of the AUS and CIS
- Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place
- Home of Panther Sports Medicine
- Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas