F Aito Iguchi - Saitama Warriors, Japan (2021 Draft)

[3 Minute Minor]

Exactly...been 16 years, ''a long time''.

lol that's nothing for a D1 team.

 

[bluesfan94]

He doesn't really look like that great of a skater to me. Sure, he's getting around the defenders, but they're 11 year old Japanese kids as well, as I understand it. They aren't exactly the best people to compare to.

 

[JayKing]

Wonder where he'll end up developping if he chooses to do so. Would be cool to see him in go to Russia.

 

[S E P H]

This has an 50% chance of getting infracted, but aren't Japanese known for growing up to a height of like 5'6 or 5'7 or something...that alone kills his chances in the NHL


edit: its not even a stereotype like I thought, i looked it up and average height for male japanese: 5'731

I see it more along the lines of Datsyuk. If this kid, or any kid for that matter has the talent level, creativity, vision, and stickhandling that Datsyuk possesses, the kid will never be hit because he will see it coming. How many times has Datsyuk ever had a crushing hit on him? I think I could remember around 3 times in his WHOLE career and the last one came from Drew Doughty. Hall is already close to 20 in this category. If he progresses to NHL talent, he might not be a top 5 selection due to height, but if Grimaldi could be drafted, then any talented player can.

He doesn't really look like that great of a skater to me. Sure, he's getting around the defenders, but they're 11 year old Japanese kids as well, as I understand it. They aren't exactly the best people to compare to.

My Gunner fan, he's playing in Ottawa. These are good ole Canadian kids that are going to become the next Drew Doughtys and Alex Pietrangelos......well not really, but the quality of the competition is definitely there compared to other European or Asian nations.

Here is the league he plays in via Scarecrowboat
http://bell_capital_cup.stats.point...-leaders.html?divisionid=71016&seasonid=11893

 

[MapleLeafs9]

What a god.

 

[JFG]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=600400746753459

Found this aswell

Sorry for facebook but I couldn't find another source.

 

[Patmac40]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=600400746753459

Found this aswell

Sorry for facebook but I couldn't find another source.

That's insane.

 

[Aceonfire*]

That kid is filthy. Not sure how quality youth developmental hockey is in Japan. Hopefully he can find chance to test his skills against higher tiered leagues and develop into the best player he can be.

He looks the same size as Gaudreau.

 

[FireBurningBin]

This has an 50% chance of getting infracted, but aren't Japanese known for growing up to a height of like 5'6 or 5'7 or something...that alone kills his chances in the NHL


edit: its not even a stereotype like I thought, i looked it up and average height for male japanese: 5'731

well that is just the average, and it's not as if players that height haven't made it before.

But yeah that might be a problem.

 

[Beef Invictus]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=600400746753459

Found this aswell

Sorry for facebook but I couldn't find another source.

Are you kidding me??

 

[BackhandToeyJoey]

That kid's backhand toey is filthy for his age, and I'm not just saying that lol Hopefully he, like others have said, has a chance to play against some other high caliber kids around his age group.

 

[Ice Cream Man]

Here's Johnny Gaudreau at a 2003 tournament at West Edmonton Mall. Definitely a cool find.

 

[Master Radishes]

I hope there's an english word that rhymes with Aito or Iguchi by the 2020s :/

Lose the fight-o for Aito?
Screw the poochie for Iguchi?

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Looks like his popularity has spread quite a bit on twitter. . .

 

[3 Minute Minor]

Screw the poochie for Iguchi?

I now hope the kid is #1 worthy just to hear that on TV.

 

[Erikfromfin]

This is fantastic! Asian superstar would be best thing for hockey globalization aka hockeys "Yao Ming". Would explode the masses interest.

 

[Constable]

I hope there's an english word that rhymes with Aito or Iguchi by the 2020s :/

greato aito

 

[nanzenkills]

This has an 50% chance of getting infracted, but aren't Japanese known for growing up to a height of like 5'6 or 5'7 or something...that alone kills his chances in the NHL


edit: its not even a stereotype like I thought, i looked it up and average height for male japanese: 5'731

Paul Kariya was Japanese, and short, and he did just fine until Suter cheap-shotted him.

 

[ottawa]

Paul Kariya was Japanese, and short, and he did just fine until Suter cheap-shotted him.

He was also 5'11, if this kid hits 5'11 then all the power to him

 

[3 Minute Minor]

Paul Kariya was Japanese, and short, and he did just fine until Suter cheap-shotted him.

Paul Kariya is just as Scottish as he is Japanese

 

[nanzenkills]

He was also 5'11, if this kid hits 5'11 then all the power to him

If this kid comes over, I think there's a good chance he'll hit 5'10" or 5'11". Western diet definitely seems to make a difference for Asian people.

Paul Kariya is just as Scottish as he is Japanese

Fair point.

 

[Moskau]

If this kid comes over, I think there's a good chance he'll hit 5'10" or 5'11". Western diet definitely seems to make a difference for Asian people.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Good player but the bad level of his competition is going to stop his developement

 

[nanzenkills]

I'm Asian, my dad is 5'7" and raised in Asia, my brother and I are both 5'11" and raised in the US. All of my cousins raised in the US are taller than all of my cousins raised in Asia. Obviously, there are other factors, but I think there's something to Western diets vs. Asian diets, especially with all the growth hormone in American meat nowadays.

 

[Garyboy]

Good player but the bad level of his competition is going to stop his developement

The Toronto Marlboros Minor Peewee's should try and bring him over as the ultimate import.