KU Insights

The ice hockey team made a thrilling comeback to win the 2024 Regular Ko-Yon Games. Under the guidance of Coach Kim Woo-yeong, the team has also excelled in the U-League and the National Championships. We caught up with the core players of the team, who are highly sought after by national and professional teams, to talk about their deep love for hockey.

Please introduce each other.

Hyeon-seo : Eun-seok plays as a goalie (goaltender), and his nickname is ‘Eun-seok, The Great,’ which reflects his reliability as a player. If you’ve watched our game videos, you’ll hear everyone shouting ‘Eun-seok, The Great,’ showing just how highly we esteem him. He’s a well-known goalkeeper with a great personality, always looking out for the juniors. He’s absolutely indispensable to us.
Eun-seok : Jun-seo has been an outstanding offensive player since high school, even scoring up to six goals in a single game. He’s known for being respectful to his seniors and kind to his teammates. He’s an essential player for us, and the team’s energy always feels livelier when he’s around.
Jun-seo : Hyeon-seo is incredibly friendly. I’ve never seen him have trouble getting along with anyone, and he’s always the first to step up and lift the team’s spirits when things get tough. He’s always willing to take on the hard work, and I’m really grateful to him.

What inspired you to start playing hockey?

Jun-seo : My family had a huge influence on me. With everyone except my mom playing hockey, I naturally became interested from a young age. I’d spend time at the rink when I was five or six, sometimes trying on skates, and eventually started playing seriously. 

Eun-seok: I started playing hockey in elementary school because a friend invited me to join in. At first, I didn’t think it was a great fit, but I grew to enjoy it, and my interest developed. Eventually, I started taking it more seriously. 

Hyeon-seo: My dad was a member of a hockey club, and I became curious about it. I hadn’t planned on playing at first, but I convinced my parents to let me play at an elite level when I was in sixth grade. Looking back, I’m glad I made that decision.

Why did you choose Korea University?

Jun-seo: I’d heard that Korea University had a great atmosphere and a family-like team dynamic. Plus, many seniors I was close to in middle and high school went to KU, so it felt like a natural choice for me. 

Eun-seok: I made a promise to a friend from high school that we’d play hockey together in college. He asked me to attend KU, and after thinking it over, I decided to join him. I believe it was a good decision. 

Hyeon-seo: I was really drawn to the opportunity to play in the Regular Ko-Yon Games, and the university’s exclusive rink offered great opportunities for skill development. On top of that, my grandfather is a KU graduate, and I’d been hearing about the university since childhood, so it felt like a natural goal for me.

You all are excelling in your respective positions. What’s your secret?

Jun-seo : In the 10 minutes before matches, I focus on practicing various shots that replicate game situations. After team workouts, I also ask my teammates for passes to refine shots that didn’t work out during practice.
Eun-seok : The closer the game, the more fun it gets, and I’m able to focus better. My undefeated record in shoot-outs since high school gives me a lot of confidence, and I really enjoy the intensity of close games.

Hyeon-seo, you’re the vice captain of the team. How do you foster teamwork?

Hyeon-seo : I really don’t like seeing the team’s morale drop, so when that happens, I gather the players to offer encouragement or get them to regroup. Even after we concede a goal, I make it a point to raise my voice from the bench and lift the team’s energy.

What is the culture like within the KU Hockey Team?

Hyeon-seo : The senior-junior dynamic on our team is really positive. Especially during meals and social events, the seniors always cover the entire bill, saying, “This is a hockey team tradition.” Recently, we’ve started a new tradition of playing entrance music in the locker room before games and touching the “GO RED” sign before we head out.
Eun-seok : I think these traditions naturally help strengthen the team’s bond. The seniors’ dedication gets passed down to the younger players, and when they step into senior roles, they carry on these values.

GK Song Eun-seok saving a goal in training

What was your most exciting moment playing hockey?

Eun-seok : For me, the most exhilarating moment was during our match against Yonsei, when we came back from a 1-3 deficit to tie it at 3-3 (laughs). Despite the tough situation, the roar of the Korea University crowd and the sudden silence from the Yonsei supporters really resonated with me. The intensity and emotion of that moment were truly thrilling. It was an incredibly special experience to feel that kind of excitement during the game.
Hyeon-seo : My favorite moment was when we won the face-off with just 10 seconds left in the 2024 regular match. When the final shot went wide and we ended the game chanting '4-3-2-1!' I'll always cherish the feeling of returning to the bench after securing a win, especially since it was my final regular season game as a senior.
Jun-seo : The post-victory ritual of throwing off my helmet and gloves, walking to the gully with my teammates, and releasing all that tension with the Boat Song was filled with so much emotion. It reminded me of my freshman year, and it was a bittersweet echo during my last regular season game.

Who are your role models?

Jun-seo : I admire Auston Matthews, an American NHL player, especially for his shooting ability. I've learned a lot from observing his technique, particularly how he drags the puck close to his body, executes a swing, and scores.
Eun-seok : Recently, I’ve been inspired by Juusse Saros, a Finnish goalie in the NHL. Even though he doesn’t have an ideal physique, he’s a starting goalie because of his exceptional agility and skill. Since I have a similar build, I really admire him.
Hyeon-seo : When I played for the national youth team, my coach told me that my playing style resembled Kim Woo-yeong, which naturally led me to admire him as a role model. When I came to Korea University, I was surprised to find out he was the head coach. Now, I aspire to emulate his dedication and passion for the team by learning from him directly.

DF Kim Hyeon-seo

Hyeon-seo and Eun-seok, you’re about to graduate. How would you describe your four years at Korea University in one word?

Hyeon-seo : A period of profound learning. I gained a lot of knowledge, not just about hockey, but about life in general. The managers and coaches were like mentors or older brothers, which made my experience incredibly enriching.
Eun-seok : A transformative journey of growth. I've developed a lot personally since I arrived at university. This time has been marked by growth in many areas, including my athletic ability, relationships, and sense of responsibility.

How would you introduce hockey to someone who's interested in the sport?

Hyeon-seo : Hockey is captivating because of its speed and physicality. There's a saying that once you watch hockey, you'll want to watch it again. After experiencing our games, you'll understand why.
Eun-seok : Compared to other sports, hockey’s fast-paced tempo and the tension from its physicality are what make it stand out. The relatively short game duration also helps prevent viewer fatigue.
Jun-seo : The quick transitions between offense and defense let the audience feel the same tension and excitement as the players, which is a big draw. Personally, I also enjoy the comfortable rink temperature—cool in summer and warm in winter.