Announcement of New Player Signing No.31: Ryo Murakami

H.C. Tochigi Nikko Ice Bucks is pleased to announce the signing of goaltender Ryo Murakami.

Murakami began playing overseas at the age of 15, gaining valuable experience in North America and Europe. As one of the few Japanese goaltenders with such extensive international exposure, he possesses both technical skills and mental resilience developed across diverse hockey environments.

His quick lateral movement and excellent reaction speed to shots are his key strengths, enabling consistent and reliable performances in front of the net. While he is still early in his professional development, Murakami is a promising young goaltender whose growth potential is highly anticipated, especially as he applies his overseas experience to the domestic stage.

Ryo Murakami (MURAKAMI Ryo)

Number: 31

Position: GK

Hometown: Tokachi District, Hokkaido

Date of Birth: April 14, 2003

Height/Weight: 176 cm / 70 kg

Career: Ontario Hockey Academy (U18 AA/Prep/AAA) → Long Beach Sharks (NA3HL) → P.A.L Junior Islanders (USPHL Premier/NCDC) → Laser HT Hot Team (II-divisioona) → Vindelns HF (Sweden) → Sydney Ice Dogs (AIHL) → H.C. Tochigi Nikko Ice Bucks (2026–)

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I am deeply honored to join H.C. Tochigi Nikko Ice Bucks.

I began playing ice hockey in Urakawa Town, Tokachi District, Hokkaido, and have since competed in North America and Europe from the age of 15. Having trained in challenging environments and adapted to different hockey cultures and styles, I aim to leverage these experiences to contribute to the team’s success, no matter how small my role may be. My goals are to prove myself through results, remain competitive in any environment, and never give up. I am determined to earn playing time in this highly competitive setting and continue being a player essential to the team’s victories. I will constantly seek what it takes to contribute, keep growing, and prove through determination and passion that I can be the goaltender who leads the team to victory. Playing in the Asia League—the highest level of ice hockey in Japan—is both a continuation of my past challenges and a new beginning. I approach this opportunity not as a mere stepping stone, but as a place where I must deliver results. I fully recognize my responsibilities as a professional athlete and will commit myself without compromise in daily training, ready to become a player who brings victory to the team. Furthermore, I hope to share the experiences and mindset I’ve gained overseas to help elevate the value of ice hockey in Japan.

I will continue striving to prove myself through performance, not words, in order to meet the expectations of fans and stakeholders alike. Thank you for your continued support.