[Cincinnati Cyclones Instagram]
[Cincinnati Cyclones Instagram]

South Korean men's national team defenseman Nam Hee-du is set to compete on the professional ice hockey stage in North America.

The Cincinnati Cyclones of the East Coast Hockey League — a third-tier league under the NHL umbrella — announced Saturday (Korean Standard Time) that they had signed Nam to an official contract.

Nam spent seven seasons with HL Anyang in the Asia League Ice Hockey before joining Cincinnati's 2026-2027 season training camp earlier this month.

After proving his worth during camp, Nam earned a spot on the opening-day roster, announced the day before the regular season began, and has now secured a full contract.

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Cyclones are an affiliate of NHL franchise the Toronto Maple Leafs and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.

Nam's signing brings the number of South Korean players in the ECHL this season to four. Forward Lee Chong-min and defensemen Lee Seung-jae and Gong Yu-chan are all with the Bloomington Bison.

Although they play for different teams, all four will share the same league this season, raising the prospect of a "Korean Derby" when their clubs meet in regular-season play.


spa@heraldcorp.com