Like his teammates on the South Shore Kings of the NCDC, Chikara Hanzawa grew up playing hockey.
The difference is that Hanzawa — known to his coaches and teammates as Chiky — did it on the other side of the globe, in Shimizu, Japan.
“When we were kids, everyone played hockey,’’ said the 19-year-old right winger, adding that outdoor rinks are plentiful in his home city in the winter.
Hanzawa spent the 2018-19 season in Sweden before coming to North America in 2019-20, with the goal of someday playing at a U.S. college.
He played four games for Tri-City of the USHL before moving on to the Minnesota Wilderness of the NAHL, where he scored five goals and nine points in 33 games in a bottom-six role.
The highlight of his season was helping Japan to the title in Division 2 of the World Junior Championship. Japan went 5-0, outscoring opponents, 37-7. He scored the game-winner and added two assists in a 5-2 win over Lithuania, the host country, for the gold medal. Hanzawa compiled seven goals and five assists for 12 points and was named the best forward in the tournament.
With the win, Japan was promoted to Division 1-B. “It was fun. Everyone spoke Japanese so it was easy,’’ he said with a smile.
If not for COVID-19, Hanzawa would be getting ready to play for his country in the Division 1-B WJC. Unfortunately, the tournament was canceled.
Since joining the Kings in early November, Hanzawa has put up a 6-3-9 line in 10 games. Many of the goals have been of the highlight-reel variety. Skating on the first line with Yale’s Ryan Stevens and Kyle Tomaso of Trinity, Hanzawa is a dynamic offensive player. At 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, he goes from zero to 60 in one step. He’s so quick that he is able to separate from opponents very quickly.
“It’s so comfortable (with the Kings). I like the coaches and my teammates. I like my billet family,’’ Hanzawa said. “There are lots of D-1 commits to play against. It’s exactly the same league as the NAHL.’’
His teammates welcomed him with open arms, said coach Drew Omicioli. “I think that’s why he flourishing. There’s no way in the world that kid’s not a top six in the North American League.’’
Hanzawa is a student of the game. “He’s constantly watching hockey. When he goes home at night, he’s either doing schoolwork or he’s analyzing hockey,’’ said Kings assistant coach Tyler Holske.
“He’ll send me clips and ask me questions at night, like, ‘What should I be doing here?’ His hockey IQ is off the charts,’’ said Omicioli.
Five Division 1 schools are actively recruiting Hanzawa.
“He’s a Division 1 player. He’s got beaucoup speed and talent. What separates him is the way he thinks the game. He knows when to cut back, he knows when to make a play, he knows when he has to shoot the puck. He’s got a nice release. The biggest thing now with him is we’ve got to get him a little heavier. When he hits that mark where he’s a buck sixty-five, probably, then he’s dangerous,’’ Omicioli said.
“He has to go to the right program, but he’s playing against a lot of guys that have committed (to D-1 schools) already and he stands out.’’
Boston Hockey Academy growing
The addition of a U-14 team for 2021-22 is a welcome sign of the Boston Hockey Academy at Matignon’s good health just a few months into its inaugural season.
“We are surviving COVID. The dorm’s been great. The school’s been phenomenal to us,’’ said Nate Bostic, academy director and head coach of the U-18 team. “We wanted to add that element, freshmen. Matignon’s been really supportive.’’
Recruiting in the U-14 age group can be challenging as players sort out their options, with some going to prep school, some looking for half-season teams and others seeking full-season teams.
Interest in the Boston Hockey Academy U-14s already has been strong. “We’re getting a lot of local kids reaching out,’’ Bostic said.
In the first four months of this very difficult season, the U-15, U-16 and U-18 teams have been busy. They’ll continue to play teams in Massachusetts, in compliance with state guidelines regarding COVID-19.
“It’s been great up to this point — all our teams have played 30 games. We’ve played every weekend,’’ Bostic said.
It won’t be a surprise if some U-18 players stick around the BHA next season instead of moving on.
“We’re going to have a lot of the 18s back who want to have a normal experience, have some fans in the stands for a game, get to have a graduation and a prom,’’ Bostic said.
April showcase in Attleboro
Depending on what restrictions are in place four months from now, the Northeast Generals are planning to host a showcase from April 15 to 18 featuring all six North Division teams — Maine, Johnstown, Maryland, New Jersey and Danbury in addition to the host team, according to Generals coach and GM Bryan Erikson.
With the NCAA recruiting dead period slated to expire on April 15, the showcase will give Division 1 recruiters an opportunity to see the six North Division teams in person for the first time this season.
The NAHL’s Top Prospects Tournament, scheduled for February at New England Sports Village, hasn’t been canceled officially, but it appears to be only a matter of time until it is, given the current COVID-19 situation.
Back to campus
Andy Stoneman of the Northeast Generals will leave the team and go back to Bowdoin College after the holidays, said Erikson.
Bowdoin will be allowing students on campus for the second semester after going to school online since September.
Stoneman scored a goal and four assists for five points in 12 NAHL games this season. As a Bowdoin freshman in 2019-20, he had three goals and three assists for six points in 19 games.
Texas road trip
The Generals’ NA3HL team is headed to Texas from Jan. 5 to 10. They will play five games in five days against the Texas Brahmas, Oklahoma City Blazers, El Paso Rhinos, Mid-Cities Junior Stars and Texas RoadRunners.
It will be a welcome change for the team, which is scheduled on Friday to play its eighth straight game against the Bay State Bobcats, the only other Massachusetts team in the league.
“We get to play some of the heavy hitters in the league and try to keep it different for our guys. We’re going to go down there and have some fun,’’ said Erikson.
