Brock Radunske

Brock Radunske
Born (1983-04-05) April 5, 1983 (age 41)
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Centre/Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Edmonton Road Runners
Grand Rapids Griffins
HC Davos
Augsburger Panther
Anyang Halla
National team  South Korea
NHL draft 79th overall, 2002
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 2000–2018

Brock Radunske (born April 5, 1983) is a Canadian-born South Korean former professional ice hockey forward.[1] He was selected in the third round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, 79th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers.

Enrolled as a communications major, in Michigan State University, he spent three seasons playing for the Michigan State Spartans. While at Michigan State he participated in the Cold War, an outdoor game between Michigan State and the University of Michigan.

Radunske became the first North American born player ever to sign with Anyang Halla and tallest forward in club's history. While playing for Anyang Halla, he earned the nickname "Canadian Big Beauty" (빙판의 꽃미남) from Korean fans because of his handsome looks.[2][3] He became eligible to play for the South Korean national team when granted citizenship in 2013, the first player without Korean ancestry to play on the team.

Professional career

He made his professional debut with Edmonton (AHL) on 18 October 2004 vs. San Antonio. He scored his first professional goal on 23 October 2004 at Manitoba.

In 2005–06, he was part of the Greenville team that advanced to an American Conference division semifinal playoff berth with a 45–24–3 regular season record (93 points).

He scored his first goal of the season with Grand Rapids (AHL) on 14 November 2006 vs. Milwaukee. He followed up three games later with the game's first goal on 1 December 2006 vs. Rochester. He scored his first goal in a Thunder uniform on 4 March 2007, part of a two-goal output. He scored a career-high and tied a Thunder all-time single-game record with four points (1g-3a) on 9 March 2007 vs. Victoria, in a 5–4 shootout win. He broke a Thunder single-game record with a new career-high five points (2g-3a) on 22 March 2007, in a 6–3 win at Utah. He spent the 2007–08' season with Augsburger Panther (DEL), appeared in 37 games and scoring seven goals and 19 assists, for a total of 26 points.

Career in Asia

In May 2008, Radunske signed a one-year deal with Anyang Halla.

In his first season with Halla, he earned his first point on Brad Fast's goal on 20 September 2008 vs High1 at Ko-yang Rink. He scored his first goal for Halla on 21 September 2008 vs High1 with 51 seconds in the game. Radunske scored his first goal in home building on 29 September 2008 vs Oji Eagles. Radunske scored his first hat trick as a Halla on 18 January 2009 vs Seibu Prince Rabbits.

After leading the league with goals & points, Radunske was awarded four trophies including regular season MVP, the Best-forward, best scorer & best point. In February 2009 Radunske re-signed with Anyang Halla for a three-year deal. Radunske's three-year deal is the longest contract extension in the club's history including all imports among Korean pro-sports league.

Radunske captured his first ever championship title, beating Nippon Paper Cranes series of 3–2 in the 2009–10 Asia League final. Radunske was named playoffs MVP.

As of the 2013–14 season, he's team all-time leader with most Goals scored and Points accumulated.[4] Radunske officially retired after 2017–2018 season.

International career

In March 2013 Radunske became a Korean citizen and was eligible to play for the South Korean national team. He was named to the team for the 2013 World Championships Division IA tournament. Radunske became the first member of the South Korean national team to not have Korean ancestry.[5] His debut in the Korean national team was a success as he won the Team MVP for the tournament.[3] He also played for Team Korea for 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–2000 Aurora Tigers OPJHL 42 6 14 20 23 4 4 8 12 2
2000–01 Newmarket Hurricanes OPJHL 49 30 39 69 65 — — — — —
2001–02 Michigan State University CCHA 41 4 9 13 28 — — — — —
2002–03 Michigan State University CCHA 36 11 18 29 30 — — — — —
2003–04 Michigan State University CCHA 42 12 10 22 60 — — — — —
2004–05 Edmonton Roadrunners AHL 8 1 1 2 2 — — — — —
2004–05 Greenville Grrrowl ECHL 39 12 17 29 52 — — — — —
2005–06 Greenville Grrrowl ECHL 63 38 16 54 58 6 1 2 3 14
2006–07 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 20 2 0 2 12 — — — — —
2006–07 Stockton Thunder ECHL 16 14 19 33 12 3 0 0 0 2
2007–08 Augsburger Panther DEL 37 7 19 26 59 — — — — —
2008–09 Anyang Halla ALH 35 29 28 57 36 7 5 6 11 8
2009–10 Anyang Halla ALH 28 19 29 48 24 9 6 7 13 12
2010–11 Anyang Halla ALH 36 20 13 33 28 4 1 1 2 4
2011–12 Anyang Halla ALH 36 22 30 52 26 5 2 4 6 4
2012–13 Anyang Halla ALH 41 23 53 76 46 3 1 3 4 16
2013–14 Anyang Halla ALH 40 29 36 65 73 — — — — —
2014–15 Anyang Halla ALH 46 16 56 72 75 6 1 5 6 0
2015–16 Anyang Halla ALH 42 25 25 50 34 8 2 1 3 18
2016–17 Anyang Halla ALH 25 7 14 21 14 — — — — —
2017–18 Anyang Halla ALH 23 5 6 11 14 7 3 1 4 2
ALH totals 352 195 290 485 370 49 21 28 49 64

International

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2013 South Korea WC D1A 5 3 2 5 2
2014 South Korea WC D1A 5 3 3 6 10
2015 South Korea WC D1B 5 0 7 7 0
2016 South Korea WC D1A 5 0 0 0 4
2018 South Korea OG 4 1 1 2 4
2018 South Korea WC 7 1 1 2 12
Senior totals 31 8 14 22 32

Career highlights and awards

2017–18 ALH season:

  • Asia League Champion

2016–17 ALH season:

  • Asia League Champion

2015–16 ALH season:

  • Asia League Champion

2014–15 ALH season:

  • Asia League 'Best-Forward' of the Year
  • Asia League Most Assists (56)

2012–13 ALH season:

  • Asia League Best Six

2010–11 ALH season:

  • Asia League Champion

2009–10 ALH season:

  • Asia League Champion
  • Asia League Playoffs MVP

2008–09 ALH season:

  • Asia League 'Best-Forward' of the Year
  • Asia League 'MVP' of the year (Regular Season)
  • Asia League Most Goals (29)
  • Asia League Most Points (57)

Records

Anyang Halla[6]

  • Team all-time leader for Most Points
  • Team all-time leader for Most Goals
  • Team all-time leader for Most Assists
  • First player in team history to score 100 goals
  • First player in team history to accumulate 300 points
  • First player in team history to accumulate 400 points

Personal life

Radunske was born in Kitchener, Ontario, but grew up in the town of New Hamburg. Nicknamed "Brocko" since he was a youngster. He is married to his wife, Kelly, with whom he has a daughter and a son.[7]

References

  1. ^ Westhead, Rick (7 April 2013). "South Korea awards citizenship to Canadian hockey player" – via Toronto Star.
  2. ^ "'Canadian Big Beauty' a star in Asian hockey". 9 November 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Brock Radunske". Elite Prospects.
  4. ^ a b "Eliteprospects.com - All-Time Stats and Leaders from Asia League". www.eliteprospects.com.
  5. ^ Merk, Martin (2013-04-17). "New star rises for Korea". IIHF.com. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  6. ^ "All-Time Statistics – Asia League Anyang Halla 03/04 – 18/19". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  7. ^ Brown, Josh (3 October 2015). "New Hamburg native helps fuel South Korea's Olympic hockey hopes".