Quick Facts
Biography
Samuel Hyung-Ihl Kim (born December 15, 1976 in Seoul, South Korea) is a Korean Canadian hockey commentator who has covered ice hockey since joining Seoul Broadcasting System's SBS Sports network in 2006. He also serves as a hockey scout and interpreter for the Anyang Halla of the Asia League Ice Hockey. His scouting and player evaluation has been credited by General Manager Yang Seung-Jun as the reason for the success of the Anyang Halla in the 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons. Kim was also covered 2010 Winter Olympic hockey for SBS and SBS Sports in Vancouver and the Astana-Almaty 2011 Asian Winter Games for Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's MBC Sports+.
Career
Kim provides analysis for National Hockey League (NHL) games on SBS Sports telecasts, as well as formerly for local hockey events (Anyang Halla Hockey Club radio commentator). Previous to joining SBS Sports, he was Hockey reporter of The Coreamedia in Vancouver for a year and a hockey columnist for Sportsseoul and Mydaily News for nine years. He still serves as a reporter for both media.
He was hired as a scout and interpreter for the Anyang Halla Hockey Club in May 2008. He has been responsible for the Anyang Halla scouting of Brock Radunske, Brad Fast, Jon Awe, Dustin Wood, John Hecimovic and Ric Jackman. On January 25, 2009, Anyang Halla beat High1 2-1 in the final game of the 2008-2009 regular season to become the first non-Japanese team in Asia League Ice Hockey history to clinch the top spot in the regular season.
Due to Brad Fast's season-ending surgery, Kim scouted Dustin Wood, who spent two seasons in Deutsche Eishockey Liga prior to joining Anyang Halla early in the 2009-2010 season. After the club ended with the best record in the league two-year in a row, on March 28, 2010 Anyang Halla became the first non-Japanese club to win the Asia League championship title, beating the Nippon Paper Cranes in a five-game series. It was called the Korean version of the "Miracle on Ice" as the media considered it the biggest win since hockey was introduced to Korea in 1928.
In summer of 2011, Kim recommended former NHL defenseman Ric Jackman to the club. The club signed Jackman to a 3-year deal. Kim credits former NHL forward Brett Callighen, who now works as a hockey agent, as the reason for his success in scouting.
Prior to 2011-2012 playoffs, Kim departs the club for undisclosed reason. He is now working in interior design industry as an Overseas sales & Marketing manager.
Career highlights & achievements
- 2010-2011: Asia League Champion
- 2009-2010: Asia League Champion
- 2010: Commentator of 2010 Winter Olympic hockey for SBS and SBS Sports (cable)
- 2006–Present: NHL Commentator of SBSsports (cable)