Head coach Pak Chol-ho Most points Ri Chol-min (44) Location North Korea | Captain Kim Song-gun IIHF code PRK | |
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Assistants Kim Kil-namKim Yong-jin Most games Ri Pong-il (40)Kim Kwang-ho (40) Association |
The North Korean men's national ice hockey team represents North Korea yearly in the Ice Hockey World Championships. They withdrew from the 2007 edition, and therefore were automatically relegated to Division III in the 2008 edition, where they finished first. They then played in Division II during the 2009 edition, and finished last bringing them back down to Division III for 2010. They are currently ranked 42nd in the IIHF World Rankings.
Contents
History
The game of ice hockey in North Korea became popular during the 1950s when Soviet and Chinese workers taught the game and its rules in the capital city of Pyongyang. The Ice Hockey Association of North Korea was founded in 1955. North Korea became a member of the IIHF on August 8, 1964. North Korea's first national championship was held in 1956 and was won by Amnokgang Pyongyang. The North Korean national team did not make its debut until 1974 when it competed in the C pool of the World Championships. The team lost its first game to Italy 11-2 on March 8, 1974, but rebounded for surprising victories over China and Australia.
Withdrawal from 2011 IIHF tournaments
DPR Korea announced that their women's and men's teams were not going to compete in IIHF competition due to financial reasons. The men's team was scheduled to participate at the Div II championships in Melbourne, Australia, while the women's team was scheduled to participate at the Div II championship in Caen, France.
World Championships
Asian Winter Games
Roster
Roster for the 2016 IIHF World Championship.