Yutaka Fukufuji facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yutaka Fukufuji |
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Fukufuji in 2023 with the H.C. Tochigi Nikkō Ice Bucks
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| Born | September 17, 1982 Kushiro, Hokkaidō, Japan |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 173 lb (78 kg; 12 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Catches | Left | ||
| ALIH team Former teams |
Nikkō Ice Bucks Los Angeles Kings Kokudo Tokyo |
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| National team |  Japan |
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| NHL Draft | 238th overall, 2004 Los Angeles Kings |
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| Playing career | 2002–present | ||
| Medal record | ||
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| Men's ice hockey | ||
Representing  Japan |
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| Asian Games | ||
| Silver | 2011 Astana-Almaty | Ice hockey |
| Bronze | 2017 Sapporo | Ice hockey |
Yutaka Fukufuji (福藤 豊, Fukufuji Yutaka, born September 17, 1982) is a Japanese ice hockey player. He plays as a goaltender for the Nikko Ice Bucks team in the Asia League Ice Hockey.
Yutaka Fukufuji made history as the first Japanese player to play in a National Hockey League (NHL) game. He played 4 games with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2006–07 season. He was also the first Japanese person drafted as a goaltender in the NHL. Before him, Hiroyuki Miura was drafted in 1992 but never played in an NHL game.
Fukufuji has also played for the Japanese national team in several World Championships.
Becoming a Pro Hockey Player
Yutaka Fukufuji was born in Kushiro, Hokkaidō, Japan. He started his professional career playing for the Kokudo hockey team in the Asia League Ice Hockey in 2001.
In 2004, the Los Angeles Kings picked him in the NHL draft. He was the 238th player chosen overall. He then moved to North America to play.
His first game there was on February 7, 2003, with the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones. The ECHL is a league below the NHL. He was even named the ECHL's best rookie player in January 2003!
Later, he played for the Bakersfield Condors in the ECHL. He was a top player for them, leading in wins and shutouts. In August 2005, he signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
Making NHL History
In the 2005–06 season, Fukufuji played for the Reading Royals, which was the Kings' ECHL team. He also spent some time as the backup goalie for the AHL Manchester Monarchs. The AHL is another league just below the NHL.
On December 15, 2006, something big happened. Fukufuji was called up to the Los Angeles Kings because they needed a goalie right away. He became the first Japanese player to be on the bench for an NHL game, even though he didn't play that night.
Then, on January 13, 2007, he made his first actual NHL appearance! The Kings' main goalie was hurt, so Fukufuji was called up again. He flew in from Cleveland, Ohio, to be the backup. In a game against the St. Louis Blues, the Kings' coach decided to put him in for the third period. This was a huge moment for Japanese hockey!
The Kings were losing 5–4 when he entered the game. He let in one goal, and the Kings scored one goal while he was playing. The final score was 6–5 for St. Louis, and since the winning goal was scored while he was in net, he got the loss for the game.
Just a few days later, on January 16, 2007, Fukufuji made history again. He became the first Japanese player to start an NHL game! He was the starting goalie for the Kings against the Atlanta Thrashers. He played part of that game before being replaced.
After that season, Fukufuji returned to play for the Bakersfield Condors.
Later Career and International Play
In May 2009, Fukufuji moved to the Netherlands to play for the Destil Trappers in their top league. After one season there, he returned to Japan.
In July 2010, he signed with the Nikko Ice Bucks, the team he still plays for today.
On January 29, 2020, it was announced that Yutaka Fukufuji was chosen to play for Japan in the qualifying rounds for the 2022 Beijing Olympics. He continues to be an important player for Japanese ice hockey.
