Canucks Agree to Terms with Akito Hirose on Two-Year Contract

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenceman Akito Hirose on a two-year contract. The contract will be two-way in the first season (2023.24), and one-way in the second season (2024.25).

"Akito was a welcome addition to our group at the end of last season and we're excited to have him back with the organization for two more years," said Allvin. "He had an strong finish to his college career and then held his own playing seven NHL games against some top-end talent. We look forward to having our staff work closely with him beginning this week at Development Camp."

Hirose, 24, appeared in each of Vancouver's final seven games of the 2022.23 regular season after signing a one-year deal with the club on March 29. In those seven games with the Canucks, Hirose registered three points (0-3-3), four penalty minutes, and four shots on goal.

The 6'0", 170-pound left-shot defenceman recorded his first two career NHL points in just his third career game on April 6 against Chicago, collecting an assist on the game-winning goal and adding a power play helper. Prior to signing with Vancouver, Hirose completed his third season of college hockey with Minnesota State Mankato, registering 27 points (4-23-27) and 18 penalty minutes in 38 games played to rank second among MSU defencemen in both assists and points.

Over the course of his college career, spent entirely with Minnesota State University, Hirose compiled 68 points (7-61-68), 40 penalty minutes, and a +56 rating in 104 games. He also previously played four seasons with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL, collecting 123 points (20-103-123) in 208 regular season games and serving as team captain in 2019.20.