Friday, Jan 19, 2018
Armed Forces Ice Warriors Canadian Army plays Imjin Classic 2018 hockey game in South Korea By Anne Genier, Department of National Defence
A group shot of “TeamCanada” made up of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the Royal 22e Régiment members.
The Imjin Classic 2018 was played at the Yulgok Wetland Park, near the original site of the original hockey games. It was organized by the Embassy of Korea in Canada and Paju City in partnership with the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“I am honoured to represent Canada at this event in the Republic of Korea, this is more than just a game; it commemorates the strong relationship between the two nations. My teammates and I are proud to carry on the legacy of our predecessors who played hockey here more than 60 years ago on the frozen Imjin River” said Major Bryan L. Ouellet, Royal 22e Régiment.
The game coincided with the passage of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games torch relay in Paju City. This leg of the relay featured Canada’s Ambassador to Korea, Eric Walsh, and Canadian Korean War veteran, Colonel (Retired) Charland as torch bearers.
“Team Canada” scores on “Team Corea” at the 2018 Imjin Classic hockey game in City of Paju, Korea on 19 January 2018.
Members of the PPCLI and R22eR were joined by Canadians living in the Republic of Korea and played as “Team Canada” in a friendly game against “Team Corea”, made up of players from Yonsei University and Korea University. Outdoors, in front of a lively crowd, “Team Canada” won the Imjin Cup.
“The timing and location of this game could not be better. 2018 marks the 65th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, and we are set to celebrate the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Holding this event in the Republic of Korea, near the site of the actual historic games, is a great way to remember those who served Canada so well in the Korean conflict,” said Eric Walsh, Canadian Ambassador to Korea.
About the Imjin Classic • The Imjin Classic hockey game, an annual tradition in Canada since 2013, is inspired by the games played on the frozen Imjin River in 1952 and 1953 between the PPCLI and R22eR during the Korean War. In attendance as special guests were Canadian Korean War veterans Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John Bishop, Colonel (Retired) Claude Charland and Sergeant (Retired) Dennis Moore. Both Colonel (Retired) Charland (Vandoos) and Sergeant (Retired) Moore (PPCLI) played in the original inter-regiment series on the Imjin River.
• This event was held to
commemorate the 65th anniversary of the end of the Korean
War. Canada joined the United Nations (UN) in its military
response to the North Korean invasion of South Korea on June
25, 1950. More than 26 000 Canadians served in the war and
516 service members were killed in action, including during
the major engagement of the Battle of Kapyong. On July 27,
1953, the UN and North Korea signed a ceasefire, putting an
end to the fighting.
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