'I’m most impressed that he’s killing penalties at an elite level now. You combine that with a guy who can think that way, and you get a pretty special player.' — Minnesota State coach Mike Hastings.
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Akito Hirose can wheel and deal in the NCAA.
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However, can the fleet-footed Minnesota State Mankato University left-shot defenceman defend in the NHL?
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That was the question facing the Vancouver Canucks as they pursued the undrafted Calgary native, who put up 27 points (4-23) in 38 games in his third college season and was named to the league’s second all-star team. The Canucks officially signed him Wednesday to a one-year contract.
“As we continue to look at ways to improve the depth of our organization, signing a defenceman with this type of skill set is an important move for our hockey club,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. “Akito is a strong skater and he has put up impressive numbers on both sides of the ice in the NCAA and BCHL.
“We feel that our coaches and development team will provide him with the help and support he needs to start his pro career off in the right way.”
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For purposes of the entry-level contract, Hirose will be 24 as of Sept. 15, which is why the ELC is one year. The year is used up no matter how many NHL games he plays and he will need a new contract this summer. His salary is US$855,000 with a $95,000 signing bonus. Due to signing the deal with a signing bonus during the season, actual cap hit is $1.953 million.
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Hirose’s ability to pace and process the game at a high speed level is already at an NHL level.
The 6-foot, 170 pound defender also played four seasons in the B.C. Hockey League with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, culminating with 51 points (9-42) in 57 games during the 2019-20 season. He earned top rookie and top defenceman honours while taking that development step.
“He’s a mobile puck-moving defenceman, who’s not big and will have to defend with mobility,” an NHL prospects scout told Postmedia. “He’s going to need good gaps and a good stick and projects as a second-pairing defenceman in the AHL and should get a second unit power play look.”
After that, it’s up to Hirose to develop into a poised NHL blueliner.
The ability for Hirose to log major minutes and excel in big games, in a top pairing with Creston, B.C. native Jake Livingstone, is what attracted several NHL suitors. Hirose helped his club get back to the NCAA tournament this season before falling to St. Cloud State last week. Last season, he was instrumental in Minnesota State advancing to the NCAA championship game.
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After scoring an overtime goal this season, Hirose also showed a humble side.
“I’m not a goal scorer,” he told reporters. “I don’t like talking to the media, but if I keep scoring goals, I’m going to keep doing it.”
By that, we assume scoring a hopefully talking about his game and an NHL aim.
“His ability to see the game and his decisions have been outstanding,” said Minnesota State coach Mike Hastings. “The thing that I’m most impressed about is he’s killing penalties at an elite level now. He’s defending at a much better intensity.
“You combine that with a guy who can think that way — see the game all the way — all of a sudden you get a pretty special player.”
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Hirose is the younger brother of Taro Hirose, 26, a left winger in the Detroit Red Wings organization, who has 54 points (15-39) in 64 AHL games. He played three seasons at Michigan State and two with the Silverbacks.
OVERTIME — Earlier this week, the Abbotsford Canucks signed Minnesota State defenceman Andy Carroll, 26, to an amateur tryout agreement. The 6-foot, 185 pound Northfield, Minn. native had 25 points this season (5-20) in 39 games. He played five NCAA seasons.
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Canucks sign fleet-footed, fast-thinking NCAA blueliner Akito Hirose - The Province
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