On the Horizon, from the Land of the Rising Sun?

[der meister 3,261]

When you read a scouting report claiming a prospect is "the dirtiest player in the game," your normal reaction is a negative one; obviously, being labelled as dirty would hamper a young player's prospects of making it to the next level. The VHL isn't a league that is known for its goons, so maybe the dirtiest player ends up in a different league, on a different continent, or gives up hockey entirely.

 

For now, though, the bone-crunching body checks and fiesty play of 16 year old Ryuji Sakamoto is making waves in the Land of the Rising Sun. Hailing from a non-traditional hockey nation like Japan has not slowed down the enthusiasm for the game for the bleach-blond youngster. Sakamoto has decent size for his age at 5'9", and while he's almost shockingly skinny, he packs a real wallop on the ice.

 

"Sakamoto makes up for his lack of size with pure grit and determination," a junior scout wrote in a recent profile piece. "If hockey doesn't work out for him, he could probably make a solid play at roller derby. He's the kind of kid who would bring a lead pipe to a high school debate match."

 

"That being said," the scout continued, "when you talk to this kid for any length of time, you start to get to know him, and you see behind all the brash bravado, there's a young man with a heart of gold who is fighting for not only what he believes in, but against anywhere he sees injustice. He frequently channels that aggressive side into his play on the ice and excels as separating attackers from the puck, and frequently, from the ice."

 

Indeed, Sakamoto seems tailor-made for a career as a shut down defender in the VHL, if he can keep his attitude in check. He doesn't have much of a shot, preferring a scattered, shotgun pellet approach where he will simply fire the puck in the general direction of the net instead of being selective, but he does have flashes of making some pretty smooth passes on the attack. 

 

"If Ryuji Sakamoto can harness his anger and mature a little bit, he could be one of those glue guy ultimate team player types in the VHL," another scout said. "His willingness to run through a wall for his teammates, to throw down the mitts when he has to, and to be going 110% on every shift makes him a formidable player. He could be a future captain, an in your face type of leader who pulls everyone's effort up to his level."

 

With at least a couple of seasons to be played before he's ready to begin looking at a potential transfer to the VHLM, only time will tell what kind of player Ryuji Sakamoto ends up being. He has a well-documented fierce loyalty to his friends and companions, and perhaps that loyalty will keep him from leaving Japan. 

 

When asked his thoughts, Sakamoto said, "I'm only thinkin' about the future now! That's what we're gonna do—build the future! We gotta think positive thoughts, brother!"

 

[der meister 3,261]

Probably should have tagged @Garshon this one

[Garsh 1,195]