The ECHL has named Adirondack Thunder forward Yushiro Hirano as the ECHL Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season. This is the second time in his career that Hirano has been named as the ECHL Player of the Week. In four games against the Maine Mariners, Hirano had two goals and nine assists for 11 points to help the Thunder clinch the top seed in the North Division and Eastern Conference.
“Before this week in Maine, I haven’t scored in six or seven games straight so I’m just focussing on my game, finishing hits hards and making plays has really helped my in the last four games”
Yushiro Hirano Postgame on Sunday
Hirano has had a strong year with the Thunder, putting up 16 goals and 38 assists for 54 points in 59 games this season, including a call-up to Utica at the end of November, where he spent four games with the Comets. Prior to joining Adirondack, Hirano had spent time with the Wheeling Nailers and Cincinnati Cyclones. In 215 ECHL games, the 6’2 forward has 68 goals and 121 assists for 189 points in 215 games Hirano recently recorded his 200th point in North America, with those stats coming from his ECHL and AHL numbers. The Japanese winger got a huge opportunity earlier this year as he was able to represent his country during the Olympic Qualifiers.
