The Macon Mayhem recently announced that forward Tao Ishizuka has inked a deal to return to the squad for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Hailing from Dedham, Massachusetts, the 25-year-old forward marked his professional debut with the Mayhem in March of last season, participating in three games and notably netting his first SPHL goal in the final game of the season.
Before entering the professional arena, Ishizuka refined his skills during a four-year period at NCAA Division III’s Curry College. During the 2021-22 season, he played in 22 games for the Colonels, scoring two goals and providing two assists for a total of four points. His first collegiate goal was scored in an 8-1 victory against Nichols. Later in the season, he would go on to score a short-handed goal in a 6-2 triumph over UNE. In the following season, he participated in 18 games for the Colonels, achieving two goals and two assists for four points. where he scored the game-winning goal in Curry’s 5-2 victory against Western New England. Altogether, he accumulated 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists) in 68 games, with a significant portion of these points earned during his remarkable senior year, where he scored a total of 25 points.
Ishizuka has had a successful hockey career in the EHL, participating in three seasons within the league for both the Valley Jr. Warriors and the Connecticut RoughRiders. In his final season with Connecticut, he impressively amassed 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists) in 45 games, showcasing his exceptional puck handling and scoring abilities. Additionally, Ishizuka took on the role of captain for the RoughRiders and was honored with the EHL Hockey Forward Star of the Week award for his outstanding performance, scoring four goals and providing five assists, contributing to the team’s victory in three out of four games that week.
Ishizuka will join Noah Robinson, Josh Boyko, Michael McChesney, Jarret Kup, and Brad Jenion as the Mayhem kick off their season at the Macon Coliseum on October 19th, facing off against the Birmingham Bulls at home.
