Ying Rudi is a Chinese professional ice hockey player currently with KRS-BSU of the Supreme Hockey League, the minor league affiliate of HC Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League. Born in China, Ying first played hockey in Beijing, moving to the United States at the 9 years to further his career. He returned to Beijing in 2016, becoming the first Chinese-born player to play in the KHL. Internationally he has represented China at both the junior and senior levels. Ying is also the son of actor Ying Da and the grandson of actor Ying Ruocheng.
Early life and education
Ying Rudi was born in Beijing on August 16, 1998 to Ying Da, a director and actor, and Liang Huan.
On August 16, 2016, Ying signed a two-year contract with HC Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League. He was the first Chinese-born player to play in the KHL or NHL. After a year with the team, in which he acquired no points in 25 games, Ying was sent down to KRS Heilongjiang, the developmental minor-league affiliate team of HC Kunlun Red Star.
International play
Ying represented China as a 16-year-old at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championship Division II. The youngest player on the team, Ying recorded seven points in five games, the most out of any Chinese player at the tournament. He was named to the U18 Division II-B All Star Team. Ying played for China again in 2015, where he again led the team in points, with seven. In 2016, Ying captained his team at the same tournament where he tallied three points in four games. In 2017, Ying captained the Chinese U20 National Team at the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships – Division III, where his team won second place. Despite China's loss in the finals, Ying gave a dominant individual performance, leading the tournament with 19 points in 5 games. He was awarded Best Forward of the Tournament, Best Player of Team China, as well as 2 Best Player of the Game awards. Ying also participated at the 2017 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships and 2018 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.
Personal life
Ying first began to play hockey at a mall in Beijing, skating while his mother would shop. His parents decided to send him to the United States when he was nine in order to further is career. Initially Ying lived in Chicago, but later moved to the Boston area, where he entered Phillips Exeter Academy, a prep school known for its academics.
Ancestry
His great-great-grandfather Ying Lianzhi was the founder of Takungpao and Fu Jen Catholic University. His great-great-grandmother Aisin Gioro Shuzhong was a member of the Qing dynasty royal family. His great-great-maternal grandfather Cai Rukai was president of National Beiyang University. His great-grandfather Ying Qianli was a professor at National Taiwan University and Fu Jen Catholic University. His great-grandmother Cai Baozhen was president of Beijing Children's Library. His grandmother was a translator and interpreter of Zhou Enlai. His grandfather Ying Ruocheng was a director, actor, playwright and vice minister of culture from 1986 to 1990. His aunt Ying Xiaole is a Chinese-American painter.
