Junior Review - Taizo Hasebe (D)

[thepandaken 12]

The Rising Star of the Land of the Rising Sun

 

Arriving to the VHL this season is an exciting young defenseman, Taizo Hasebe, who comes to the league from a place not normally seen as a hotbed of talent: the nation of Japan.

 

A lifetime native of Nikkō, Japan, Hasebe quickly made a name for himself in the local hockey community. By the time he was out of primary school, Hasebe was already getting scouted by the local Asia League Ice Hockey team, the Nikkō Ice Bucks. In his freshman season, he put up an incredible stat line, netting 9 G, 48 A, and a +/- of 73. He quickly found himself on the top pairing of Japan's u18 squad, representing the country internationally. Upon graduation, he played one season for the Nikkō Ice Bucks. He suffered a concussion that limited him to just 22 games, out of the league's 34 game schedule. Despite the setback, he finished his debut professional season with 6 G, 29 A, and a +/- of 41.

 

After a successful, albeit limited, rookie season, the expectation was that Hasebe would return to complete a sophomore season in the ALIH. He shocked everyone when he announced that he'd be leaving to chase the dream in the VHL. "[It] is an exciting opportunity for me and my family, and I cannot wait to begin this next journey," said Hasebe in the now-viral announcement over his social media. In a public statement made hours after Hasebe's announcement, the chair of the Ice Bucks fan club stated, "We wish Taizo finds great success in the VHL. Hearts across our city are filled with pride as one of Nikkō's sons has earned such an incredible honor and opportunity!"

 

Hasebe has a reputation as a stingy defenseman that generates a large number of turnovers. Scouting reports praise his positioning as that of a veteran with two decades of experience, and note that his defensive work with the stick is well above average. Offensively, he is more known for his playmaking ability than for tallying goals. While most experts do make note of sluggish skating and questionable stickhandling on the puck, Hasebe is a youngster that could easily emerge as one of the VHL's top prospects with some time to develop. With the eyes of the hockey world on him, and the pride of his home town on the line, it will be interesting to see how the young D-man handles the pressure on the world's biggest stage.