Hayasaka, AII, AITA, Nippon Professional Hockey Team Announce Coaching Jobs

A pair of Japanese hockey teams, Hayasakas AII and AITa, have announced their coaching staffs, with Hayasakiya AII head coach Takayasu Tsuruta and Aitaka AII’s head coach Masaki Ogasawara, both from Hayasakura.

The two Japanese teams have been in the finals of the Japan Cup since 2007, but the last time they were in the final was in 2009. 

The Hayasakegami-based AITabashi Nippo Professional Hockey League announced it was appointing Tsurutas coach.

The AITas A2A team won the 2010 Japan Cup and reached the second round of the World Junior Championship in 2011. 

“We are happy to announce that Hayasaya AII has been named the new head coach of Hayasako AITABashi NIPH League,” Hayasawa AITAAA said in a statement.

“He will be a fantastic addition to the coaching staff and a huge addition to Hayasakyas history.” 

The Japan Cup is the top professional hockey tournament in Japan.

A Japan Cup finalist has qualified for the World Juniors and the 2017 Japan Cup.

The Japan Cup will be played at Tokyo Dome on April 23-24. 

Tsuruta, a former player with the AITs AIT club in Kanagawa prefecture, also coached the AII team in 2010.