Rock Posted February 9, 2005 Share Posted February 9, 2005 Japanese goalie nets attention http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2005.../924416-cp.html By NEIL STEVENS (CP) - The Bakersfield Condors originally figured that Yutaka Fukufuji would spend most games as the backup goaltender on the end of the bench. A lot wasn't expected of him when he joined the California ECHL team because, after all, Japan is not a gusher of hockey talent. Fuj, as his teammates call him, has surprised everybody. He's now the Condors' No. 1 goalie. "He's one of the smartest kids I've ever coached and he's a hard worker," says coach Marty Raymond. "Some day, if he keeps progressing like he has, he could make it to the NHL." The Tokyo-born goalie, 22, is six foot one and 170 pounds. He was 16-5 in games not requiring shootouts as he prepared to face the Fresno Falcons on Tuesday night. He had a 2.50 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. He was ECHL rookie of the month for January when he won seven consecutive games and posted his first pro shutout. "He's got the quickest glove I've ever seen at this level," says Raymond, who is from Drummondville, Que. Fukufuji began playing hockey at age nine. He preferred it over the other sports in which he was involved. "Hockey is better," he said from Bakersfield in halting English. He was a skater at first but by age 11 he was asking if he could strap on the goalie pads. His favourite goalie is Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils. "He is a great goaltender," says Fukufuji. He'd like to be play on the same ice same day. "I hope so," he says. Fukufuji made his pro debut in North America on Feb. 7, 2003, with the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones. He won four games and lost three, and had a 3.13 GAA and .915 save percentage. He spent 2003-2004 with the Japanese national team. The Los Angeles Kings selected him in the eighth round, 238th overall, of the 2004 NHL entry draft. He was one of five goaltenders at the September training camp of the Kings' AHL affiliate in Manchester, N.H. With goalies in place for all their affiliates, the Kings looked around for a place to send Fukufuji. Bob Bartlett, who used to be GM of the WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes, is director of hockey operations for the independent Condors. He was aware of Fukufuji because of his friendship with the coach of the Japanese national team. Bartlett was instrumental in Kings GM Dave Taylor asking if Fuj could bed in Bakersfield. "At first, we thought that because he's a young guy with a lot to learn that he'd be our backup," says Raymond. "But he's learning so quickly he's become our No. 1. "He's above and beyond what was expected." Kings goaltending coach Andy Nowicki has breezed into Bakersfield three times to work with Fukufuji. "He's a very kind, attentive kid," Raymond says of his Japanese goalie. "He always smiles." He also works his butt off. "Last night at 8:30 I went to the gym we use and he was there working out," Raymond said. "I want to keep strong," says Fukufuji. Randy Petruk of Cranbrook, B.C., is the Condors' other goalie. He's a New York Rangers prospect, and he's helped Fukufuji adjust to life in the ECHL. "He's a good guy," says Fukufuji. "He's been very generous with his time and advice with Fuj," Raymond said. Heading into Tuesday night's game, Bakersfield was 27-11-7 for 61 points and is a point behind Long Beach atop the Western Division of the National Conference. One of the Condors' best players, Connor James of Calgary, was recently called up by Manchester, and Raymond isn't counting on his return because he figures James is good enough to stick in the AHL. It is a cosmopolitan crew. Besides the Japanese goalie, there are players from all over Europe and Canada. Leading goal scorer with 16 is Lars-Peder Nagel of Oslo, who returned to Europe earlier this week to play for Norway in an Olympic qualifying tournament. "He's been a great rookie for us," says Raymond. "He's a big guy. He's not the fastest guy but he's really smart." Brad Mehalko of Enchant, Alta., whose brother plays on a Bakersfield university team, and Vlad Serov of Ukraine have scored 13 goals each, and Dennis Shiryaev, also from Ukraine, has 11. "Brad is a fantastic skater with a good touch around the net," says Raymond. "He's thriving in our environment." Captain Paul Rosebush of Wellington, Ont., has scored 10 goals. "He's probably the most driven guy I've coached," says Raymond. "He doesn't say much. He's like the Mark Messier of our level. "He's not that big but he's probably the most feared player in our league." Brett Lutes of Riverview, N.B., also has 10 goals. "The knock on him before he came here was that he didn't work that hard," says Raymond. "But he's become a harder worker. "He's also playing the point on the power play because he's got a rocket of a shot." Other Canadians on the team are Ryan Gillis of Salisbury, N.B., Guy Dupuis of Moncton, N.B., Chris Twerdun of Saskatoon, Luis Tremblay of Val D'Or, Que., Kevin St. Jacques of Edmonton and Todd Alexander of Fort St. John, B.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted February 9, 2005 Share Posted February 9, 2005 ive seen him play, he was pretty good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruins4777 Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 I've heard about him and been dying to see him play...maybe i'll catch him in reading one of these days if i ever get out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 Do west coast ECHL (that doesn't sound right at all, does it?) teams come this way? I'd be really interested in catching a game in Trenton or something if they showed up. For whatever reason international players just seem to add attraction to the game for me. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You missed them in Trenton, check their website for the rest of their schedule, the teams usually do come out this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruins4777 Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 Do west coast ECHL (that doesn't sound right at all, does it?) teams come this way? I'd be really interested in catching a game in Trenton or something if they showed up. For whatever reason international players just seem to add attraction to the game for me. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You missed them in Trenton, check their website for the rest of their schedule, the teams usually do come out this way. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Freaking ECHL west comes out west BUT NOT AHL...not even freaking chicago....erg...sorry bitterness over not being able to see lehts extensively as i saw pasi... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brodeurfanatic Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 Hehehe what a name FUKUFUJI The commentators will be banned for cursing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
br_hockey Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 His favourite goalie is Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils. smart kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akuma Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 With Bakersfield in 04-05 the kid finished the year at 27-9-5 with a 2.48 GAA...maybe worth an AHL team looking into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyFan42 Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 He is Kings property, so if he shows up in the AHL this season, it'll be in Manchester. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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