About Us

Here are a few historical accounts and tributes from veterans of the DCIHL on its meger beginnings in Korea...

 

Ken Vantour

This whole thing started with about 4 Canadians, tired of skating drills, no pucks and no goalies. Michael Jones and I decided it would be more fun to just rent the ice ourselves, and anyone who wanted to join us was more than welcome to play.

Our first night out was on a Monday - 4 skaters, no goalies. But at least there were no skating drills. Those 4 skaters quickly turned into more than 10, 2 goalies (Ben Ramirez and Dr. Kim) and a phone call from this dude in Cheongju named Waylon. He brought his crew down from the Ju, proceeded to make us Big City Daejeoners look like fools and the ball was rolling. In Daejeon, we now had enough guys to add a day to our schedule. The Cheongju gang would come down periodically to lay a butt-whooping on us.

The Daejeon Cheongju Ice Hockey League (DCIHL) was started to add a little spice to our regular Monday and Friday night pick-up games. A little spice is what it offered. (Anyone who played vs. The Goon-Squad All-Stars in Season 1 knows what I mean) The games in Season 1 were, to my surprise, taken very seriously. Perhaps the first sign I had that this would be something special occurred when Goon Squad goalie Rick Weldon showed up to the first game of the season without his traditional beer in hand, stating he wanted to focus on the game. The games were faster than our pick-up games. The players played tougher. It was a fun little league. Since that time, we've crowned three champions, been featured on a TJB television newscast and actually had TOO MANY goalies.

To all the players, past, present and future, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all make being in Korea a little easier, even if my body aches every time I play against Eric Bannerman's team.

 

Old Loves Die Hard
Geoff Martin

I didn't come to Korea intending to fall back in love with hockey. Not that I had ever really fallen out of love with the game, but, you know how these things go, something that was vitally important when you were younger gradually gets benched by more important demands. Soon enough, and almost by surprise, that thing winds up not only temporarily on the bench but as a healthy scratch on the roster of necessities.

So it was with me and hockey. In twelfth grade, I realized I needed money for university far more than I needed a stick in my hand. So, I hung up my skates in exchange for a spot on a pet food packaging line. It was a fair trade, though not exactly enticing. And except for one forgettable intramural season in university, along with a few assorted tournaments and pick-up games, my equipment has largely been collecting mildew in my parents' basement. Such is the way of things.

But old loves die hard. You know it from the urge to play while toying with a one-piece stick in a sporting goods store. You know it from chancing upon the beginning of a televised hockey game, resolving only to watch the first five minutes, but ultimately seeing the game through to the end (even if it was only to see the Leafs fall 6-1 to the Panthers). Some old loves really do die hard.

As luck would have it, I came to Korea and I fell back in love with hockey. Despite a few laughs at his expense and his own concern over possibly sounding "corny," Ken Vantour did get it right during his TJB interview-- there really is poetry to hockey. It's an aggressive, improvisatory, rock'em-sock'em kind of poetry. But it's poetry nonetheless. There really is something to the sounds of a pair of skates slicing ice or the echoing 'ping' of a puck off a post. I love the way the boards thud hard and the way the cold air feels on my perspiring face. I don't know if it's the frozen plastic seats or the frosted space between painted lines and insulated rafters, but there is a universally identifiable smell to an arena, too. It's the kind of smell that breeds nostalgia and also excites the imagination.

And to re-experience all of this, to re-acquaint myself with the game while living in Korea, has been something else altogether. In a place where so much is different, the familiarity of lacing up skates is a welcome, weekly homecoming of sorts. Playing hockey while in Korea serves as a reminder of where we're from and hence, at least in part, of whom we are. It's always the first question asked of any newcomer: "where're you from?" And by that, it's never meant, "on which side of Daejeon do you live?" Or, "how close are you to Road King?" We mean to place a hometown, to situate this person in relation to our own experience, our own background, our own culture. And whether the answer is Kenai, Alaska or Dunvegan, Cape Breton, or anywhere else in-between, the love of hockey is always the initial commonality, the thing that solidifies an emerging friendship. The conversation that follows circulates around aspects of the game: the level of hockey previously played; team affinities in the NHL; professional players we've played against, or knew at one time, or met once.

Of course, the conversation never stops there; it continues on each week, layering deeper and deeper so that as games slide by and road trips end, we know more and more about that guy named "Jim" on the opposite wing. We have also, in the process of 'getting acquainted,' told much about ourselves. We have, then, reminded ourselves about our own past, of who we are or were, while growing up somewhere between Alaska and Nova Scotia. Home has traveled with us to Korea and the ice rink seems to bring it to the foregrounds of our minds and our memories.

The arena thus acts as a meeting house; a place where foreigners, who would otherwise not necessarily meet, gather together to play hockey amongst friends. A place to escape, however briefly, some of the peculiarities of living in Korea, and of course, a place to chase that elusive dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup-- a dream now somewhat scaled back and superseded by the desire to win Old Moldy, the DCIHL Cup. The sum total of the experience of playing in Korea, therefore, is something quite beyond value, whether trying to count in dollars, or Korean won, or words, or memories. The sum total is even worth more than sipping Cass from the cup of Old Mold, if you can imagine anything better than that.

 

Hockey in Korea
Kris Bergeman

I always thought that when I left Wisconsin for college back in 1999, I would lose certain childhood activities and games. Hockey and a favorite card game, Sheepshead, were local favorites that were the first and most notable to be missing that first winter in central Missouri. The closest thing that came to hockey was the roller hockey league the school offered for 3 years and then a season of mens league roller hockey in Hawaii. For those that have played roller hockey, you understand some of my pains. Sure its hockey, but it doesn't have anything on pond hockey, let alone the rink.
I had an opportunity to play some adult league pick-up hockey over one winter break, about 2002. I wouldn't ever forget the memories it brought back; the cow bells the parents rang when a goal was scored, the tremendous freezing cold in the outdoor rinks, the pick-up hockey on the farmer's pond after school until it was too dark to play to name a few. So many great memories of the past, but I can't think of any from the roller hockey. This is coming from the two-time Division 2 champions. But I'll never forget 1992. The state finals, Spooner, Wisconsin. The puck was dropped, within seconds the tall center from Spooner was on a breakaway, shoots top glove, SCORE!!! The funny thing, he did it two more times within the first three minutes, same shot, same location, same result. Final score, 3-0, we finished second. Countless other memories still flood my mind.
I honestly never thought I would have those feelings again. Then one night in the late winter of 2008, I was thinking about the good times I had, as it was the first snowfall I had witnessed since my departure from Wisconsin in '99. I figured I would check and see if there was hockey to be watched. Discovered none to be watched, at least not the level I wanted to see, but that there were several leagues in the country. The first league to reply to my inquiries was this one. I was excited to say the least. Talked the wife into allowing me to spend a few grand on hockey equipment (it has great resale if ever asked) and went to the first game I could. I was very surprised to meet such a great group of guys. The first thing I thought of was the movie, Mystery Alaska. The "Sunday Game" as they called it. The only thing we were missing was the city of supporters. On the ice, it was nothing shy. All the players play for a variety of reasons; to escape their growing ages, the stress relief hockey naturally brings, and most importantly the game itself. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly happy with myself. Great games make you feel incredible, terrible games make you feel good. It's really a win-win situation.
The guys are incredible, genuine, and sincere. It is worth every minute in my busy schedule and I wouldn't have it any other way. New memories are created each week. I think it's great that North Americans can join in a quick match half way around the world. I was unable to do this in the states, but here, 6000 miles away from home, the puck is dropped weekly and men become boys once again.

 

Hockey Night in Korea
Kyle Cassily

The last hour is always the hardest. I sit in my classroom on Friday nights, reading along with my students from a children's book, half-wanting to fall asleep at my desk and half-wanting to ruin the ending I've already taught six times that week. "The little boy rescues the dog from the mean animal catcher, dog and boy run home, everyone lives happily-ever-after. The End. Teacher wants to go play hockey, so get the hell out." It's not difficult Monday through Thursday. Weekend hockey seems farther away then. But Friday is torture. I know in a few hours I'll be in a car with the guys on the way to Daejeon, or spending a fun night out in Cheongju before a Saturday evening game down in the basement. Time passes slower than Armen on a breakaway. That last hour on Friday is tough, but the reward is that much sweeter - hockey in Korea.

I came to Korea four months ago, expecting to have a challenging and educational year in Asia. I wanted to have some fun teaching kids, sample a new culture (and hopefully a few girls), and learn a little bit of Korean. I've got to do all three (I'm still waiting for the girls, though…), but the most fun I've had is playing hockey with all of you every weekend. Before I left America, I was playing in a beer league on Friday nights with a great group of guys. When I left, I thought I wouldn't find another group like that - guys who live for hockey and show it on the ice, and when the game ends they hand you a beer and rip you for missing an open net. I was wrong. I found it here in Korea with all of you.

Twenty years from now, when I think back on my time in Korea, I'll remember the job, the food, and the travel. I'll remember the funny things my students said, the first time I tasted soju, and how it felt to have everyone stare at you. But more than all of those moments, I'll remember playing hockey with you guys. I'll think about the time Ang scored the shootout goal on the last shot to win the game, or how amazed I'd be sitting exhausted on the bench and watching Caleb down yet another bench beer, or how Geoff Martin never took a shift off. Hell, I'll even remember the game I reffed when Team Anthrax and Made in China wanted to crucify me. Thank you all for making my first months in Korea some of the best in my life. I'm not sure what Korea would be like for me without any of you and hockey, but I'm glad I don't have to know.

 

DCIHL Season 1
Eric Bannerman

Back in those days, the hockey had a different feel to it. Some may call it `old time hockey' even. For season 1, the captains were chosen and immediately matched up with a goalie. This decision sought to bring balance to what was otherwise a considerable gap in skill level amongst the captains. With the likes of Ricky Turnbull (Soju Soldiers), Jon Deblois (Kimchi Comets) and Caleb MacIvor (Da Beers) as captains, poor Eric Bannerman had to be matched with the future goalie of the year, Ricky Weldon to have any chance at all. This would prove extremely fortuitous for Bannerman, as Weldon would lead the team, the Goon Squad All-Stars, to the very first championship.
Another rule put a 3 goal limit per player per game. This would keep scoring machines Turnbull and Deblois at bay, somewhat - though watching them dangle in front of their opponents' goalie for 30 seconds, while waiting for the other 9 players to catch up with them, proved to be too much for many to bear and the rule was done away with at the close of the regular season. Regardless of any goal limit, Caleb MacIvor managed to run away with the scoring lead early in the season and he never looked back. He would eventually finish with 38 points gaining him the scoring title, 14 points ahead of his nearest competitor. He would go on to win the DCIHL's very first Most Valuable Player award as well.
Many could not fathom how such a deep team could come to be but Da Beers, with the likes of MacIvor, Chris Goodman, Jim Toombs, Chris Acaster and late additions of Jason French and Waylon Chinski came out as the team to beat in season 1. With the help of goaltender Ed McEntee, they would eventually go on to first overall for the season and book themselves a place in the championship game.
The Soju Soldiers were always dangerous, but the late season departure of Ricky Turnbull saw them fall to last place at the end of the regular season. The late season acquisition of Sean Myers gave them some new life but they eventually fell just short. Hyeon Seok Bum, "The Kid" An Hyoung Min and Shin Dae Jin all made good showings. Michael Jones had a strong season as a offensive defenseman and would go on to share Defenseman of the Year honors with Eric Bannerman.
The Kimchi Comets were always in contention with the speed and skill of Jon Deblois, the tenacity and smart play of Ken Vantour. The Comets had goaltending problems though and would see a succession of goalies through the season - Ben Ramirez's season was shattered by MCL injury that would put him out for the following season also. Goaltending duties would fall to Colin Donnelle and then newbie, Johnny Wong.
Despite dropping their first two games, The Goon Squad found some hope with the mid-season acquisitions of Bart Sears and Matt Acheson. The Goons became renowned for a tough, defensive style of play from the likes of Bannerman, Nick MacFadden and Bart Sears, but it was all about team for these guys and forwards Michael Montgomery, Matt Acheson, Travis St. Peter and Mario Choi made massive contributions. Mario Choi's son, Choi Duck Hyun would go on to take Most Improved Player as his confidence developed greatly. However, most would attribute the Goons' success to the stellar play of goaltender, Rick Weldon. The team would go on to finish second just behind Da Beers. The championship game came down to a shootout between Da Beers and the Goon Squad in which the Goon Squad prevailed on a lone goal from defenseman, Nick McFadden.

 

DCIHL Season 2
Ken Vantour

Ahh yes, the 3 goal limit was gone, those pesky Goon's from season 1 would be split up and new talent in the form of Erich Ramirez and Brad Russell, would make season 2 a faster and more exciting product.

Two captains each from Daejeon and Cheongju faced the daunting challenge of actually having to choose goaltenders in the draft. Ricky Weldon, Season 1's goalie of the year was not in the mix as he was relegated to backup duty. Kris Bergemann would replace Weldon and join Johnny Wong, Colin Donelle and Ed McEntee as the targets between the pipes.

Jason French's Hammer squad followed in the tradition of Season 1's red jersey squad, Da Beers. Solid drafting, including Season 1 Best Defenseman Eric Bannerman, playmaker Chris Goodman and rookies Armen Kazagoogoo and Bergemann, made this team look promising from the get go. With a 6-3 record on the year, they finished second in the standings.

Waylon Chinski's Killer Bees, was somewhat of a question mark after the draft was completed. Chinski had taken a gamble on an up and coming rookie by the name of Brad Russell. Russell had yet to step foot in Korea, but Chinski was hoping for the proverbial diamond in the rough. Set up on the Defensive end with Bart Sears, Ryan Dumont and the towering Jack Bender, the Killer Bees bided their time the first two games, waiting for Russell to show. When he finally did lace up the blades, Chinski could be seen with a sly little smirk, an almost 'I told ya so' grin on his face. Russell proved to be everything the Bees had hoped for. The unofficial winner of the DCIHL Cy Young award, Russell notched 14 goals and 2 assists in just 7 games, to go along with Chinski's 14 goals and 13 assists. This team that started out as a defensive power suddenly learned how to score.

Mike Jones captained the Black Aces, a name chosen for the players in pro practices who are injured and should take it easy. Although Jones was able to scoop up powerhouse rookie Erich Ramirez, the season didn't go as planned. Matt Acheson, Travis St. Peter and Lawrence Willoughby had strong seasons on offense, but the team just couldn't help out goaltender Colin Donelle in the defensive end. The team finished with a 2-6-1 mark, to finish last during the regular season and a chance to face Rupert Houle's White Knights in the semi-finals.

Houle was another captain who took a chance on an unknown. This time it would be a young Canadian named Geoff Martin (The guy from the Tea Party? He plays hockey?). Added to the lineup was Season 1's leading scorer and MVP Caleb MacIvor and another unknown named Ryan Goode. Johnny Wong had a stellar year in goal for the Knights and helped lead them to the top of the standings with a record of 6-3. This led to a semi final matchup with the lowly Black Aces.. MacIvor once again led the league in scoring; besting his previous season's totals with 25 goals and 16 assists for 41 points. Goode and Martin added 32 points apiece as the three gunners finished 1, 2, 3 in the season's scoring race, and a semi final matchup with the lowly Black Aces.

In what could be considered the greatest upset in league history, the woeful Black Aces, led by Ramirez and the jaw dropping goaltending of Colin Donelle, narrowly beat the Knights, who were without MacIvor, in the semi-final. After the Killer Bees doubled up on the Hammers, the stage was set for the Season 2 final in Daejeon.

It was over before it started. The Black Aces apparently spent all their energy in the Semi's a week earlier and had no answer for the Bees. Chinski and Russell had their way with the Aces defense and ended up winning 9-4.

Brad Russell was named the Playoff MVP.

 

DCIHL SEASON 3
Ken Vantour

As Charles Dickens wrote at the beginning of a Tale of Two Cities, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." That seems the proper quote for season 3 of the Daejeon-Cheongju Ice Hockey League. There were many best of times (scoring race and top of the standings coming down to the last game, the first shutouts in DCIHL history) and there were many worst of times (Heroic Hites goal struggles, Jim McEwen and Ed Steneroden suffering season ending injuries and Ryan Goode being forced to sit out the final month)

If you've followed the league through the first 3 seasons, you would have to agree that the most recent installment truly did have some of the best and most memorable events in the history of the league.The game play was faster, the talent level was higher, and there were actually 5 available goalies. The jerseys got a new look. There were even enough players to add a number 10 to each team.

Chris Goodman (Made In China), Bart Sears (Heroic Hites), Ryan Dumont (Team Anthrax) and Geoff Martin (Black Plague) were the captains this year, with each choosing a different style of team. China looked to over power the league with offensive threats Brad Russell, Chris Goodman and rookie Andrew Vaughan.

The Hites looked to stop teams on the defensive end with former Best goalie of the year award winner Rick Weldon. Bart Sears would play a pivotal part of the defensive corps until suffering a leg contusion in week 5. Rookie Colin MacIsaac would also be asked to provide much needed defense.

Dumont opted for a well rounded offense and defense. Erich Ramirez, Waylon Chiski and Jason French would provide the scoring, while Ken Vantour, Kevin Philips and rookie Jin Wook would help goalie Kris Bergemann on defense. Travis St. Peter, Mike Jones and Brett Caldwell would round out the team.

Martin also went for an all around team, drafting all time leading scorer Caleb MacIvor and 2 time Defenseman of the year Eric Bannerman to the squad that already featured Season 2 goalie of the year, Johnny Wong. Rookies Ang Eliopolous, Kyle Cassily and the return of Ben Ramirez helped round out the team.

Anthrax and Black Plague finished one-two in a tightly contested season that came down to the final game of the regular season. The two teams tied for points in the regular season, but thanks to two shootout losses by Anthrax, Black Plague took the overall standings with a record of 7-2.

The Hites on the other hand had trouble finding the net. Scoring only 15 goals in 9 games, while allowing a league high 50, the Hites finished with a dismal record of 1-8, getting shut out twice by eventual Goalie of the Year, Johnny Wong.Made In China was hit by the injury bug early with the loss of Ed Steneroden (back) and Jim McEwen (knee surgery). They had trouble getting their game going when rookie hotshot Andrew Vaughan was sent home for conditioning, missing two vital games. Made in China lost both of those games and ended the season 4-5.

The most exciting scoring race in DCIHL history came down to the final night as well. Entering the night, Martin and Vaughan were tied for the league lead, with Chinski, Ramirez and MacIvor breathing down their necks. Ramirez had a four point night, MacIvor had 5 and Martin also had five, giving him the scoring lead, by one point over Ramirez and two points over MacIvor, who had won the previous 2 seasons scoring race by 14 and 9 points.

The semi final match-ups pitted Heroic Hites vs. Black Plague, while the ever dangerous Made In China took on Anthrax and the Cheongju Ice Link.

The Black Plague would eventually skate victory on the season while Caleb MacIvor claimed the scoring title once again.