With the NHL trade deadline coming up, most teams are just over the halfway point of the NHL's 56-game season - a quick update on various players of Asian descent.
2021 Mid-Season Update
Category: International
Record Number of NHL Players of Asian Descent to Start 2021
At the beginning of the 2021 NHL season, there are a record eight players of Asian descent on a NHL roster - a significant increase from the five players of Asian descent at the beginning of the previous 2019-2020 season. These include: Matt Dumba (RD, Minnesota Wild): A top-pairing NHL defenseman and co-founder of the… Continue reading Record Number of NHL Players of Asian Descent to Start 2021
Ryan Suzuki and Jordan Spence Selected for Team Canada at World Juniors
Team Canada announced its final roster for the 2021 World Juniors earlier today, naming both centre Ryan Suzuki and defenseman Jordan Spence to the team as they defend their gold medal from last year. Suzuki has been on the national team radar since being drafted first overall in the OHL in 2017, previously representing Team… Continue reading Ryan Suzuki and Jordan Spence Selected for Team Canada at World Juniors
Sam Kim Hired as Leafs’ Video and Coaching Coordinator
Most recently the Video Coach for the Edmonton Oilers' AHL affiliate, Sam Kim will be joining the Toronto Maple Leafs as their Video and Coaching Coordinator as the next step for one of the most unique careers in hockey. Kim's first position in hockey was interning for the New York Islanders, working as the team's… Continue reading Sam Kim Hired as Leafs’ Video and Coaching Coordinator
Japan Wins Gold at Youth Olympics
The Japanese U16 team won gold in the 2020 Youth Olympic Games, defeating Sweden 4-1 for the women's ice hockey title. They made history as the first Asian team to win gold at an Olympic hockey tournament. "I’m so proud and so pleased that this is the outcome of our teamwork...My team really wanted to… Continue reading Japan Wins Gold at Youth Olympics
Nick Robertson Selected For Team USA at World Juniors
Forward Nick Robertson (TOR) was officially named to Team USA for the 2020 World Juniors. The 18-year-old Filipno-American is the youngest player on the team, but will be a key contributor while skating on their top line. A second-round draft pick of the Torotno Maple Leafs, Robterson has teared up the OHL this season with… Continue reading Nick Robertson Selected For Team USA at World Juniors
Profile: Yutaka Fukufuji
On January 13th, 2009, Fukufuji relieved Barry Brust to start the third period for the Los Angeles Kings in an eventual 6-5 loss against the St. Louis Blues, becoming the first Japanese national to play in the NHL. Born in Kushiro on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, Fukufuji spent his formative years with Kokudo,… Continue reading Profile: Yutaka Fukufuji
Profile: Manny Malhotra
One of the elite two-way forwards of his generation, Malhotra starred in the NHL for 16 seasons where he played in 1,026 games. He was among the best in NHL history at faceoffs, with the fourth-highest career faceoff winning percentage (58.85%) ever. A second-generation Punjabi-Canadian, Malhotra played minor hockey in Mississauga, ON before being drafted… Continue reading Profile: Manny Malhotra
Profile: Ryan Kuwabara
Kuwabara is currently the Assistant Coach of the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League after an 18-year professional career. He is a third-generation Japanese-Canadian and was born in Hamilton, ON in 1972. In 1989, Kuwabara was drafted by the Ottawa 67's eighth overall in the OHL draft. He would spend the next three seasons… Continue reading Profile: Ryan Kuwabara
Profile: Stan Wong
The most-decorated American in IIHF history, Stan Wong has served as Team USA's athletic trainer for 17 World Juniors (2002-2019), 4 Olympics (2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018), 12 world championships (2006-2018), and 10 Deutschland Cups. “He’s a guy who cares about everybody. Sometimes he’s got 40 kids on the ice and everybody knows it’s hard… Continue reading Profile: Stan Wong
