Yutaka Fukufuji
| Yutaka Fukufuji | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fukufuji in 2023 with the H.C. Tochigi Nikkō Ice Bucks | |||
| Born |
September 17, 1982 Kushiro, Hokkaidō, Japan | ||
| 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 | ||
| National team | Japan | ||
| NHL draft |
238th overall, 2004 Los Angeles Kings | ||
| Playing career | 2002–present | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's ice hockey | ||
| Representing Japan | ||
| Asian Games | ||
| 2011 Astana-Almaty | Ice hockey | |
| 2017 Sapporo | Ice hockey | |
Yutaka Fukufuji (福藤 豊, Fukufuji Yutaka; born September 17, 1982) is a Japanese ice hockey player for the Nikko Ice Bucks of the Asia League Ice Hockey. Fukufuji was the first Japanese player to appear in a National Hockey League (NHL) game, and played 4 games with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2006–07 season. The first Japanese draft pick, Hiroyuki Miura, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1992 NHL Draft, but never played in an NHL game. Fukufuji is the first Japanese citizen to be drafted as a goaltender in the NHL and second Japanese national to be drafted. Internationally Fukufuji has played for the Japanese national team at several World Championships.