Jim Paek (Korean: 백지선, Baek Chi-sun, born April 7, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, who is currently the director of hockey for the Korea Ice Hockey Association and head coach of the South Korean national team.^[1] Paek played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1990–91 to 1994–95, and won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1991 and 1992 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is both the first Korean-born hockey player to play in the NHL, and to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

Quick Facts Born, Height ...

Jim Paek
Paek in 2023
Born	(1967-04-07) April 7, 1967 (age 57) Seoul, South Korea
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Pittsburgh Penguins Los Angeles Kings Ottawa Senators
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	170th overall, 1985 Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career	1987–2003

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Paek was the first player of Korean descent to play hockey in the NHL. Paek was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the ninth round, 170th overall, in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.^[1] Before joining the NHL in 1990–91, he played three seasons for the Oshawa Generals (1984–85 to 1986–87) of the OHL and three seasons with the Muskegon Lumberjacks (1987–88 to 1989–90) of the IHL. Paek also played 48 games for the Canadian National Team in 1990–91.^[1]

Paek's NHL career began with the Penguins in 1990–91. Upon entering the league, he became the first Korean-born hockey player to ever play in the NHL and since he was part of the Penguins' Stanley Cup run of 1990–91, he became the first player of Korean descent to have his name engraved on the Cup. His Penguins sweater now hangs in the Hockey Hall of Fame honouring this feat.

After four seasons and two Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh, Paek was traded mid-season to the Los Angeles Kings in 1993–94 as part of the deal that brought Tomas Sandström to the Penguins. After only 18 regular season games as a King, he moved on, signing with the Ottawa Senators for the 1994–95 NHL season.

After only 29 games with the Ottawa Senators in 1994–95, he left the NHL and began play in the International Hockey League. In the IHL, he played for the Houston Aeros, winning the league championship Turner Cup in 1999,^[1] Minnesota Moose, Manitoba Moose, and Cleveland Lumberjacks. His next stop was Great Britain, where he joined the Nottingham Panthers of the British Ice Hockey Superleague. With the exception of 40 games in 2001–02 with the Anchorage Aces of the West Coast Hockey League, he played out the rest of his career with the Panthers, retiring after the 2002–03 season.

In five NHL seasons, Paek played 217 regular season games, recording five goals, and 29 assists. He also racked up 155 penalty minutes. Paek played in 27 playoff games, recording one goal, four assists, and eight penalty minutes.

Paek was born in Seoul but grew up in Canada after moving there at age one, playing hockey in Toronto.^[1][5] As a youth, he played in the 1980 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Marlboros minor ice hockey team.^[6]

• February 16, 1994 – Traded to Los Angeles by Pittsburgh with Marty McSorley for Tomas Sandstrom and Shawn McEachern.
• June 25, 1994 – Traded to Ottawa by Los Angeles for Ottawa's seventh round choice (Benoit Larose) in 1995 Entry Draft.
• November 25, 1996 – Traded to Houston (IHL) by Manitoba (IHL) for Mike Stevens.
• March, 1999 – Loaned to Houston (IHL) by Cleveland (IHL) for Jason Ruff and future considerations.
• August 4, 2000 – Signed as a free agent by Nottingham Panthers (Britain).
• September 6, 2001 – Signed as a free agent by Anchorage.