Akito Hirose

Akito Hirose (born April 9, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Fischtown Pinguins of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He most recently played for the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey at Minnesota State.

Playing career Junior On September 7, 2019, Hirose was named captain of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks for the 2019–20 season. During his senior season with the Arm Silverbacks, he recorded nine goals and 42 assists in 57 games. He led the league in defenceman scoring and ranked third among all BCHL players with 42 assists. Following the season he was awarded the BCHL Defensive Player of the Year award.

He finished his career with 20 goals and 103 assists in 208 regular season games. On September 11, 2018, Hirose committed to play for Minnesota State.

College Hirose began his collegiate career for Minnesota State during the 2020–21 season. During his freshman year, he recorded one goal and 14 assists in 28 games, ranking tied for second in the country among all freshmen defenceman. Following the season he was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team and All-WCHA Third Team and was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year.

During the 2021–22 season, in his sophomore year, he recorded two goals and 24 assists in 38 games. During the NCAA tournament, the Mavericks advanced to their first championship game in program history, where they lost to Denver 1–5.

During the 2022–23 season, in his junior year, he recorded four goals and 23 assists in 38 games. Following the season he was named to the All-CCHA Second Team. He finished his career at Minnesota State with seven goals, 61 assists, and a plus-53 rating in 104 games. During his time with the Mavericks, the team went 85–24–2, won three MacNaughton Cups, two Mason Cups, qualified for three NCAA tournaments, two Frozen Fours, and advanced to the national championship game once.

Professional On March 29, 2023, Hirose signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He made his NHL debut on April 2, in a game against the Los Angeles Kings. During the 2023 prospect development camp, the Canucks signed Hirose to an additional two-year contract.

Remaining as an unrestricted free agent, Hirose signed a one-year deal with the Fischtown Pinguins of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) on September 24, 2025.

Personal life Hirose's brother, Taro, is also a professional ice hockey player for EHC Red Bull München of the DEL.

Career statistics Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2016–17 Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 44 2 8 10 18 — — — — — 2017–18 Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 55 5 27 32 24 4 0 0 0 4 2018–19 Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 52 4 26 30 17 5 0 4 4 0 2019–20 Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL 57 9 42 51 18 4 0 3 3 0 2020–21 Minnesota State WCHA 28 1 14 15 14 — — — — — 2021–22 Minnesota State CCHA 38 2 24 26 8 — — — — — 2022–23 Minnesota State CCHA 38 4 23 27 18 — — — — — 2022–23 Vancouver Canucks NHL 7 0 3 3 4 — — — — — 2023–24 Vancouver Canucks NHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2023–24 Abbotsford Canucks AHL 33 0 2 2 6 6 1 1 2 12 2024–25 Abbotsford Canucks AHL 34 4 8 12 29 22 1 4 5 6NHL totals 10 0 3 3 4 — — — — —

Awards and honours Honors Year College All-WCHA Rookie Team 2021 All-WCHA Third Team 2021 WCHA Rookie of the Year 2021 All-CCHA Second Team 2023 AHLCalder Cup Champion2025