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ECHL Cincinnati Cyclones

Hirano Named ECHL Player of the Week

December 14, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release


Cincinnati, OH - Cyclones forward Yushiroh Hirano has been named the Inglasco ECHL Player of the Week for December 6-12.

The third-year pro earns league honors for the first time in his career following an 11 point week across four games (six goals, five assists). The Cyclones went 3-1-0-0 last week, with Hirano helping the team earn two wins against his former club, the Wheeling Nailers.

On Wednesday, Yushiroh posted his first career hat trick as part of a career-high five point game (three goals, two assists) that helped the 'Clones topple Wheeling, 6-5. Hirano became the second Japanese born player to achieve this feat, with the only other being Takahito Suzuki who scored a hat trick with the Charlotte Checkers on October 11, 2003.

Hirano scored a goal in all four games this week and continued from his performance Wednesday with a three-point effort (one goal, two assists) in Cincinnati's 6-2 win over Indy Friday night. The Tomakomai, Japan native would return to Wheeling for games on Saturday and Sunday, collecting two more goals and an assist.

"His weapon is his shot," said Cyclones Head Coach Jason Payne ahead of Sunday's game when asked about Hirano. "He can shoot the puck. He has an NHL-caliber shot, hands down. With that shot, he just needs a split second to find that opening and if he does, there's a good chance that puck is going to find the back of the net and find it fast."

Overall, Hirano has goals in five straight games, eight in his last nine games, and points in nine of his last 11. He sits sixth in league scoring and ranks among the top five players in goals (13), power play goals (6), and shots (80).

"It feels great to be recognized by the ECHL," said Hirano. "I'm honored especially because I've been working so hard for the past two years to reach this result since I couldn't come back to the United States last season due to the pandemic."

"I'm just trying to move up the ladder and reach the next step in my career. Where I want to be is still far away from where I am now in terms of my overall game. I am going to continue what I'm doing now and continue working hard to reach that next step."

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