Hosoyamada Looks To Fulfill Olympic Dream
10/2/2015 1:48:00 PM | Ice Hockey
SYRACUSE, N.Y.- In a span of five seasons, Akane Hosoyamada suited up with the Syracuse women's ice hockey team, taking the ice in 151 games as a top defender for the Orange. Now, Hosoyamada is playing professionally in the Japan Women's Ice Hockey League in hopes of fulfilling her childhood dream of playing in the Olympics.Â
After eligibility is up for most student-athletes playing collegiate women's ice hockey, graduates find themselves working in a profession off the ice. Even before deciding to attend Syracuse with the opportunity of receiving an American education on top of playing Division I collegiate ice hockey, Hosoyamada had a bigger picture for her career.
"I am very fortunate to keep playing the sport I love after my collegiate career," Hosoyamada said. "The main reason why I chose to play in Japan is to fulfill my childhood dream of playing in the Olympics."
A 2015 Syracuse graduate, Hosoyamada is currently playing with the Daishin Ice Hockey Club out of Kushiro, Hokkaido in the 'A' League in hopes of competing for a spot on the Japanese National Team. Due to the rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Hosoyamada won't be able to compete in IIHF events until she has played one full season in Japan as well as lived in the country for 12 months. Her parents are both natives of Japan.
Hosoyamada will attend training camps to make the final roster for the national team during this next year.
"Smile Japan is allowing me to train with the girls until my year is up and once it's done, that is when I'll be officially competing for a spot on the team," Hosoyamada said. "I definitely would like to thank my family and friends for their love and support, including all my past coaches and supportive teammates throughout my career thus far."
One of those coaches to show support is Syracuse hockey head coach Paul Flanagan, who is excited to see Hosoyamada continue her hockey career.
"From day one, Akane stepped in here and established herself as one of our top players," Flanagan said. "It's really neat to see her fulfill a great collegiate career and then have the opportunity to move on. For a lot of girls, their college careers is the pinnacle of their careers. It would be awesome to have someone who played for Syracuse represent Japan in the next Olympics."
With the next Winter Olympics slated for 2018 taking place in Pyeongchang, located in South Korea, Hosoyamada has an opportunity to play close to her family who live in Japan.Â
During her career at Syracuse, Hosoyamada registered 10 goals and 51 assists, finishing with 61 total points. After sustaining a potential career-ending injury in 2011-12 with a broken femur, Hosoyamada battled to get back out on the ice with her teammates, playing the next three seasons with the Orange. At the conclusion of her first season back from injury, Hosoyamada was named to the All-CHA First Team and honored as the CHA's Best Defenseman. Hosoyamada earned All-CHA Second Team Honors at the completion of her senior season.
Syracuse will start the 2015-16 season on Tuesday, Oct. 6 when the team takes on nationally-ranked Clarkson at Tennity Ice Pavilion at 7 p.m.
After eligibility is up for most student-athletes playing collegiate women's ice hockey, graduates find themselves working in a profession off the ice. Even before deciding to attend Syracuse with the opportunity of receiving an American education on top of playing Division I collegiate ice hockey, Hosoyamada had a bigger picture for her career.
"I am very fortunate to keep playing the sport I love after my collegiate career," Hosoyamada said. "The main reason why I chose to play in Japan is to fulfill my childhood dream of playing in the Olympics."
A 2015 Syracuse graduate, Hosoyamada is currently playing with the Daishin Ice Hockey Club out of Kushiro, Hokkaido in the 'A' League in hopes of competing for a spot on the Japanese National Team. Due to the rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Hosoyamada won't be able to compete in IIHF events until she has played one full season in Japan as well as lived in the country for 12 months. Her parents are both natives of Japan.
Hosoyamada will attend training camps to make the final roster for the national team during this next year.
"Smile Japan is allowing me to train with the girls until my year is up and once it's done, that is when I'll be officially competing for a spot on the team," Hosoyamada said. "I definitely would like to thank my family and friends for their love and support, including all my past coaches and supportive teammates throughout my career thus far."
One of those coaches to show support is Syracuse hockey head coach Paul Flanagan, who is excited to see Hosoyamada continue her hockey career.
"From day one, Akane stepped in here and established herself as one of our top players," Flanagan said. "It's really neat to see her fulfill a great collegiate career and then have the opportunity to move on. For a lot of girls, their college careers is the pinnacle of their careers. It would be awesome to have someone who played for Syracuse represent Japan in the next Olympics."
With the next Winter Olympics slated for 2018 taking place in Pyeongchang, located in South Korea, Hosoyamada has an opportunity to play close to her family who live in Japan.Â
During her career at Syracuse, Hosoyamada registered 10 goals and 51 assists, finishing with 61 total points. After sustaining a potential career-ending injury in 2011-12 with a broken femur, Hosoyamada battled to get back out on the ice with her teammates, playing the next three seasons with the Orange. At the conclusion of her first season back from injury, Hosoyamada was named to the All-CHA First Team and honored as the CHA's Best Defenseman. Hosoyamada earned All-CHA Second Team Honors at the completion of her senior season.
Syracuse will start the 2015-16 season on Tuesday, Oct. 6 when the team takes on nationally-ranked Clarkson at Tennity Ice Pavilion at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Ice HockeyHighlights | Syracuse Ice Hockey vs. RIT
Saturday, February 07
Syracuse Ice Hockey
Friday, February 06
Britni Smith | 2026 Olympic Games
Thursday, February 05
ICE: Syracuse vs. Lindenwood Highlights
Tuesday, January 27
