Akito Hirose

Playing career

Akito Hirose was named captain of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the BCHL on September 7, 2019, for the upcoming season. In his senior year with the team, he put up nine goals and 42 assists across 57 games, leading all defensemen in scoring and finishing third in the league in assists. That performance earned him the BCHL Defensive Player of the Year award. Over his entire BCHL career, he totaled 20 goals and 103 assists in 208 regular-season games. He had already committed to Minnesota State University on September 11, 2018.

Hirose started his college career with the Mavericks in the 2020–21 season. As a freshman, he scored one goal and added 14 assists in 28 games, tying for second among all freshman defensemen nationally. After the season, he was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team and All-WCHA Third Team, and was voted WCHA Rookie of the Year. The following year, as a sophomore in 2021–22, he recorded two goals and 24 assists in 38 games. During March and April, he averaged .625 points per game with five points in eight contests, earning CCHA Defenseman of the Month honors. He helped the Mavericks win the 2022 CCHA tournament championship, the program’s first, securing an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. There, Minnesota State advanced to its first national championship game, falling 5–1 to Denver. In his junior season of 2022–23, Hirose notched four goals and 23 assists in 38 games and was named to the All-CCHA Second Team. His college career totals at Minnesota State were seven goals, 61 assists, and a plus-53 rating over 104 games. During his time there, the Mavericks compiled an 85–24–2 record, won three MacNaughton Cups and two Mason Cups, made three NCAA tournament appearances, reached two Frozen Fours, and played in one national title game.

On March 29, 2023, Hirose signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He made his NHL debut on April 2 against the Los Angeles Kings. Later, during the 2023 prospect development camp, the Canucks signed him to a two-year extension. After becoming an unrestricted free agent, Hirose signed a one-year contract with the Fischtown Pinguins of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) on September 24, 2025.