Junjie YUAN

People's Republic of China

Ice Hockey

Date of Birth: 3 Mar 1993

Age: 28

Gender: Male

Height (m/ft): 1.84/6'0''

Place of birth: VANCOUVER, BC

Birth Country:

Canada

Residence: BEIJING

Residence Country:

People's Republic of China

Events and Medals
Records
Schedule
Bio
General Interest
Milestones

Events and Medals

Discipline	Event	Rank	Medal
Ice Hockey	Men CHN China	12

Schedule

Location	Event	Status
National Indoor Stadium	Men's Preliminary Round - Group A #5 USA United States 8 CHN China 0	Finished
National Indoor Stadium	Men's Preliminary Round - Group A #12 GER Germany 3 CHN China 2	Finished
National Indoor Stadium	Men's Preliminary Round - Group A #17 CHN China 0 CAN Canada 5	Finished
National Indoor Stadium	Men's Qualification Play-off #22 CAN Canada 7 CHN China 2	Finished

Biographical Information

Highlights

Nickname:

Lao Yuaner (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

Previous names:

Zach Yuen

Hobbies:

Singing, piano, lacrosse, cycling. (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

Occupation:

Athlete

Education:

London College of Music, GBR (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

Family:

Father, Charles Zhiliang Yuen. Mother, Mary Yuen. Older sister, Montana (lawyer).

Languages spoken:

English, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, French

Club name:

Kunlun Red Star

Position style:

Defence

Hand:

Left

Sporting relatives:

Sister Montana Yuen (Ice hockey): Played at the varsity level at the University of British Columbia.

National league:

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)

Start:

Began skating at age two and playing hockey at age three in Vancouver. (en.khl.ru, 14 Nov 2016)

Reason:

"My father settled in Vancouver, where the sport has deep roots, and he would go with his pals to watch the Canucks, and of course, he saw street hockey. I started skating as a two-year-old and I loved it, all the more so because my dad was already a fan." (en.khl.ru, 14 Nov 2016)

Likes the competitive aspect. (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

Ambition:

To win gold at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

Memorable:

Being the one of the first full Chinese players drafted into the NHL. (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

Influence:

His father. (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

Ritual:

Takes a nap on game day, and puts his equipment on the same way. (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

Philosophy:

"Hard work is not hard if you enjoy what you do." (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

General Interest

FAMILY
Born and raised in Vancouver, BC. Father was born in Hong Kong and came to Canada in his teens and mother was born in Canada of Chinese descent (from Guangdong Province). Father Charles Yuen/Yuen Zhiliang: "I always tell my son that although you were born in the North America, you've got a Chinese face and you are Chinese." (chinadaily.com.cn, 9 Mar 2018)

BALANCING SPORT AND EDUCATION
Though he was involved in sports from a young age, his family also emphasized the importance of his education, which he had to balance. "Since I am from a traditional Chinese family, my schooling has always played an important role. For example, in addition to hockey I learned to play the piano, but hockey was always my favorite pastime. My parents let me play as much as I wanted, but I had to complete all my schoolwork before I could get my skates on. I finished with school and with the piano lessons, and then I could give 100% to hockey." (en.khl.ru, 14 Nov 2016)

ON CHINESE TRADITIONS AND LANGUAGE
Speaks Cantonese fluently. "I’ve lived with my Chinese grandparents. They know many of the traditions we observe. We are a very Chinese family and that's why I have a good command of Chinese. In Canada there are many second or third generation Chinese children who do not speak the language, but my grandma and grandpa would always talk to me in their native tongue." (en.khl.ru, 14 Nov 2016)

MUSICAL TALENT
Is also a piano teacher. (Athlete, 25 Jan 2022)

STATISTICAL FIRSTS
First player of Chinese descent sign with Kunlun Red Star for in its inaugural season in the KHL, 2016/17. Later the first player of Chinese descent to score a point (assist, 1 October 2016) and goal (27 October 2016).

PLAYING CAREER
Toronto Marlies, CAN (2013-14); Orlando Solar Bears, USA (2013-14); Wheeling Nailers, (2014-15); Gwinnett/Atlanta Gladiators, USA (2014-16); Idaho Steelheads, USA (2015-16); Kunlun Red Star, CHN (2016- )

NHL DRAFT
Selected in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets, 119th overall.

Social Media

Legend

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