Full Name: Takashi Nagasaki Fujimoto
Age: 20
Born: Johur Bahru, Singapore
Height: 6-4
Weight: 220
Position: RW
Shoots: Right
VHLM Team: Ottawa Lynx
Pro’s:
Skating
Fujimoto is a strong skater with good speed. He is not the most agile or skilled skater, but it can’t be considered a weakness either. He continues to work on his skating technique and with further coaching at the VHLM/VHL level, he looks to be an elite level player moving up and down the ice to be in the right position when needed.
Shooting
Fujimoto has a good shot that he likes to use often. He is especially strong near the crease and can shoot quickly from tight spaces. He has decent puck handling and his accuracy is pinpoint. Whether it’s a strong slap shot or a wrister from the wing, Fujimoto is very accurate. The work he puts into his shooting ability cannot go unnoticed and will be appreciated by many fans of the VHL.
Defense
Unlike most young scoring wingers entering the VHL, Takashi does not shirk his defensive duties and is always playing both sides of the puck. He has good size considering his Asian heritage and is very strong, which makes it easier for him to push people off the puck and gain position. His ability to fluidly transition from offense to defense is one of his strongest attributes.
Con’s:
Attitude
Takashi Fujimoto has more than his share of arrogance and rumors of disgruntled team mates are plentiful amongst VHL scouts. He can be a difficult player to coach and that may prove detrimental to his success in the league. He has developed an attitude that may be difficult to change and his disregard for his fellow players might prove a distraction for the team that selects him in Season 54.
Outspoken
Teams considering selecting Fujimoto will need to be aware of his tendency to say what he thinks, often without a filter. When it comes to media relations, he may simply be a nightmare to deal with. He will never pinch words and will always say what he thinks about any situation or issue, no matter what the consequences for all concerned may be. Any team brave enough to select him will need a terrific public relations department to deal with the fallout.
History/Experience
Hailing from Singapore, not much is known about Takashi Fujimoto and there is practically zero playing footage to assess him by either. He was a very good ice skater originally, but did play some hockey throughout high school, and represented Singapore at the Asian Games against some mediocre talent. With the exception of a few Asian players who have succeeded in the VHL, generally it can be a bit of a minefield when it comes to players not from the traditionally strong hockey playing regions.
Final Thoughts:
Fujimoto's combination of size, speed and a willingness to compete all over the ice suggest there is some pro potential and there are a few other things to like about him as a potential steal. First, he seems to have a great work ethic and embraces doing the little things well and the physical work that often goes unnoticed to help the team. Secondly, his defensive game is apparently strong according to multiple reports and he has a solid frame and seems to know how to use it. Given time to develop the key areas of his game, combined with further exposure to quality team mates like Jon Locke and Fook Yu, Fujimoto just may develop into a good value selection for a team willing to take a chance on a polarizing figure to many VHL observers. He may be quite raw, but if he continues to develop at his current rate, he should prove to be a value pick for a brave team.
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