A new profile by NHL.com writer William Douglas highlights Tom Bark, the Panthers’ 35-year-old Director of Hockey Operations and Player Evaluation — born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in Canada. Bark played youth and college hockey and built a strong front-office résumé before joining Florida in November 2020 .
🎯 Key Highlights:
Versatility praised: GM Bill Zito describes Bark as someone who “can do everything” — scouting, analytics, media relations, evaluation — thanks to both intellectual and emotional intelligence .
On-the-ground presence: During June alone, Bark scouted the AHL affiliate’s Calder Cup run, attended the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, and was in the Panthers’ war room for the NHL Draft .
Hockey roots & global perspective: Bark began in Seoul, moved to Canada with only three English words in his vocabulary (“apple,” “Michael Jordan,” and one more unspecified), developed through youth hockey in Toronto, then played NCAA Division III at Lake Forest College .
Career journey: He interned with Acme World Sports agency, worked as a scout for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and contributed to South Korea’s national team at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics before heading to Florida .
🏆 Championship Impact:
Bark helped the Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, though he humbly notes his focus is on doing his job and improving daily .
—
This piece not only celebrates Bark’s background in the context of hockey’s growing diversity but also underlines how integral he’s become to Florida’s front office success. His story resonates deeply within the Color of Hockey narrative — blending cultural identity with elite performance.
—
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into Bark’s role during the Stanley Cup run, or any standout moments from that Color of Hockey feature!
Be the first to comment