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, which is like a goalie in soccer, for the Nikkō Ice Bucks team. This team is part of the Asia League Ice Hockey.
Yutaka Fukufuji made history by becoming the very first Japanese player to play in a game in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHL is the top professional ice hockey league in North America. He played four games for the Los Angeles Kings during the 2006–07 season. He was also the first Japanese citizen to be picked as a goaltender in the NHL draft.
Playing Career Highlights
Yutaka Fukufuji was born in Kushiro, Hokkaidō, Japan. He started his career playing for the Kokudo hockey team in Japan in 2001. In 2004, the Los Angeles Kings picked him in the NHL draft. He was the 238th player chosen overall.
Playing in North America
Yutaka first played in North America on February 7, 2003. He joined the ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones team. The ECHL is a professional ice hockey league in the United States and Canada. He was even named the ECHL rookie of the month in January 2003. Later, he played for the Bakersfield Condors in the ECHL.
In August 2005, Fukufuji signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings. He also played for the AHL Manchester Monarchs for a while. The AHL is another professional league, just below the NHL.
Making NHL History
On December 15, 2006, Yutaka Fukufuji was called up to the Los Angeles Kings. This was an emergency call-up. He became the first Japanese player to be on the bench for an NHL game. However, he did not get to play in that game.
Then, on January 13, 2007, Yutaka made his first actual NHL appearance. This was a huge moment for Japanese ice hockey. The Kings' coach decided to put him in to start the third period of a game against the St. Louis Blues. Even though the Kings lost the game, Yutaka had made history.
Just a few days later, on January 16, 2007, Fukufuji made history again. He became the first Japanese player to actually start an NHL game. He was the starting goalie for the Kings against the Atlanta Thrashers.
After the NHL
After his time with the Kings, Yutaka returned to play for the Bakersfield Condors in the ECHL. On May 25, 2009, he signed with the Destil Trappers team in the Netherlands. This team played in the top league there.
After one season in the Netherlands, Fukufuji returned to Japan. In July 2010, he signed with the Nikkō Ice Bucks. He has been playing for them in the Asia League Ice Hockey ever since.
In January 2020, Yutaka Fukufuji was chosen to play for Japan. He helped his country in the qualifying rounds for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
