HL Anyang aims to embark on its pursuit of winning the Asia League Ice Hockey championship for the 10th time.
Having completed team roster adjustments for this season, HL Anyang will begin preparations for the 2025-2026 Asia League Ice Hockey season starting with physical training on the 14th.
After winning the championship for the 9th time last season, HL Anyang quickly reorganized its team after the season ended and finalized the roster earlier this month. With members from the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics departing the team, the proportion of 'young blood' is expected to increase.
Veteran forwards Park Jin-kyu and Lee Young-jun, as well as defender Kim Won-jun, have retired from active play. To fill their gaps, HL Anyang has newly acquired forward Lee Yun-seok and defender Kwon Min-jae, who graduated from Korea University.
Lee Yun-seok, who participated in the 2025 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship Division I Group B as a member of the men's ice hockey national team, is a promising player who has been highly evaluated for his broad vision and skillful passing since his time at Kyungbok High School. He played in 5 games at the World Championship, recording 1 goal and 1 assist. Kwon Min-jae, noted for his impressive physical stature at 185 cm, is evaluated for his balanced play on both offense and defense. With the enlistment of Ji Hyo-seok, Yoo Beom-seok, and the transfer of Lee Min-jae, Kwon Min-jae is expected to take on a key role in the HL defense line this season with increasing vacancies.
Matt Dalton, known as 'the wall,' has been replaced as goaltender by Lee Nam-kyu, a graduate of Kwangwoon University. HL Anyang aims to cultivate Lee Nam-kyu as a future asset by imparting the know-how of Dalton, who will be utilized as a part-time goaltending coach.
Shin Sang-hoon, who left the team after playing in the ECHL in the United States and in Poland last season, has returned to his old club after 2 years. HL Anyang expects that his return, having gained experience in overseas leagues, will strengthen their scoring ability.
The 2025-2026 Asia League Ice Hockey season will see HL Anyang and five Japanese teams (Red Eagles, Tohoku Free Blades, Nikko Ice Bucks, Yokohama Grits, Kobe Stalls) compete in a regular league of 40 games each team, followed by playoffs to determine the champion. Kobe Stalls has newly joined the league, and weekday games have been revived.
HL Anyang will start the season with an away game against Nikko Ice Bucks on Sept. 20, and the home opener is scheduled for Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. against Yokohama Grits.
HL Anyang will focus on physical training this month, with plans to start full-scale ice training next month when head coach Baek Ji-sun, currently staying in the U.S., returns.
[Photo] Provided by HL Anyang.
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