5 QUESTIONS WITH OLYMPIAN & FORMER VANCOUVER ANGEL SUSIE JO

Written by: Liz Montroy (Vancouver Midget C1 Assistant Coach)

 

Susie Jo played with the Vancouver Female Ice Hockey Association during the 2011-12 season.
She currently plays with the South Korean women’s national team, and will be representing her
country at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics.

 

When and where did you start playing ice hockey?

I started playing hockey when I was 13 in Mokdong, South Korea, where I live.

 

What did you enjoy about playing with Vancouver Female during the 2011-12 season?

I didn’t know that I would be playing hockey at that time, so I just enjoyed everything that
happened, and [playing hockey] was my favourite hobby. I really loved the girls on the team and
they were so nice to me. I also really enjoyed the games.

 

What are you most looking forward to about the Olympics?

I can’t believe that I am going to play in the Olympics, but also the thing I am most looking
forward to is competing against Japan. We lost to Japan about 20-0 a few years ago, but when we
met Team Japan at the 2017 Asian Games, we lost by only 3-0. It was such huge progress and I
am excited to play against them this year in my country.

 

What do you love most about hockey?

Since the play is constantly back and forth, ice hockey is a very attractive sport to me. I
personally like team sports because I can play with teammates. Also, this sport is very dynamic.
[Other sports don’t] have boards around [the playing surface], but ice hockey does. We are
playing … at a really fast speed.

There are a lot of things to work on when playing ice hockey. Skating skill is the most important
thing. Stick-handling is also key to handling the puck, and we also have to use both body and
brain well. We have to use the body well in order to protect the puck in small areas. Also, it is
very crucial to think when playing ice hockey. Since players are moving super fast, but in a very
small area, smart play is the key.

In conclusion, I like ice hockey because it is a combination of all these complicated things which
makes playing very attractive and it is fun for spectators to watch. There is never ending learning
when playing hockey.

 

What advice would you give to young female hockey players?

I’ve never found any sport more attractive than ice hockey. Once you play you just get into it.
Continue to play and work everyday to get better. But the most important thing is, just enjoy it!

 

 

Catch Susie and her team in action at the Olympics this February:
Feb 10: South Korea vs. Switzerland 9:10pm KST/4:10am PST
Feb 12: South Korea vs. Sweden 9:10pm KST/4:10am PST
Feb 14: South Korea vs. Japan 4:40pm KST/11:40pm [on Feb 13] PST