Former Vancouver Canucks Defenseman & Calder Cup Champion Departs the Organization To Sign in Europe
Photo credit: NHL
A former Vancouver Canucks defenseman and 2025 Calder Cup champion with the Abbotsford Canucks has decided to take his talents overseas to Europe.
The Vancouver Canucks organization will look a bit different both at the NHL and AHL levels this season as some players have moved on, whether that be through free agents or trade, among them being Calder Cup champion John Stevens, who signed in Finland with Kiekko-Espoo.
Last week, another member of Abbotsford's 2024-25 championship team decided to head to Europe as forward Ty Glover inked a one-year deal with Lowen Frankfurt in the DEL and it appears that he'll be joined in Germany by one of his teammates from last season.
Former Vancouver Canucks Defenseman & Calder Cup champion signs in Europe
While leagues around Europe have already dropped the puck on the current season, some teams are still trying to round out their respective rosters and are turning to North American free agents to do so.
In a press release on Tuesday, the Fischtown Pinguins of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) announced that they've signed former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Akito Hirose to a one-year contract for the 2025-26 campaign.
Note: the quotes in this story are translated from German
"The Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven are proud to announce another new signing: Akito Hirose will be joining the Seaside City team's defense with immediate effect. The 26-year-old defender is moving from North America to the North Sea and is expected to make a mark on the defense with his vision and game intelligence. Hirose will wear the number 2 jersey for the Pinguins." the Pinguins said.
Fischtown Pinguins Sporting Director Sebastian Furchner spoke about the team's decision to sign Akito Hirose this week and he said that they believe the 26-year-old will help stabilize their blue line for the remainder of the season.
"Akito is a player who brings dynamism and quality to the game. He has received excellent training and fits into our system. We are convinced that he will stabilize our defense and make it more versatile." Furchner said.
Hirose, a native of Calgary, Alberta, joined the Vancouver Canucks organization as an undrafted free agent in March 2023 and went on to appear in ten games with the big club during his time in the organization.
"I really wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to play in Bremerhaven. I'm looking forward to meeting the fans and being on the ice with my new teammates. I'm also especially excited about the duels against my brother." Hirose said.
Last season in Abbotsford, Hirose put up 12 points (four goals, eight assists), 29 penalty minutes and was a plus-four in 34 regular season games, adding five points in 22 postseason contests enroute to a Calder Cup championship.
Hirose is set to make his Fischtown Pinguins debut on Friday evening as they take on the Iserlohn Roosters.
Source: Fischtown Pinguins
Fischtown Pinguins sign Akito Hirose - decision on Will Riedell's German passport still pending
Fischtown Pinguins sign Akito Hirose - decision on Will Riedell's German passport still pending
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