3on3 Ice Hockey Event in Fukuoka: 36 Top Japanese Players Gather for 'Hyojin no Ran'

Event Key Visual

— Everyone is the star, everyone is serious. —

YHC LLC will hold the ice hockey event 'Hyojin no Ran 2026 Fukuoka' for two days on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Ovision Ice Arena Fukuoka in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

This event is an initiative aimed at increasing awareness of ice hockey, expanding the competitive population, and contributing to regional revitalization.

At the first event held last year, the venue was enveloped in tremendous enthusiasm. This year, we are scaling up further and holding it again in Fukuoka.

The 36 participating players consist of top players active in overseas leagues and domestic professional teams, including those with experience representing Japan. The players will be divided into four teams through a draft format and will engage in fierce battles on the ice.

This tournament is organized by Yushiroh Hirano, who continues to challenge overseas leagues as a representative of Japanese ice hockey. After graduating from high school, he built his career overseas and became the first Japanese-born player to score a goal in the AHL, North America's second-tier league, consistently performing at the forefront of the Japanese ice hockey world.

With a strong desire to 'bring Japanese ice hockey to more people,' Hirano launched this event as a new challenge.

The tournament's catchphrase is 'Everyone is the star, everyone is serious.'

Not only the players, but also the management staff and even the spectators will become the 'stars' of this stage, clashing with 'seriousness' from their respective positions to create the event together—we will deliver two days overflowing with such passion.

Yushiroh Hirano giving a speech at the opening ceremony of the first event

The matches will be held in a 3-on-3 format, which is different from the usual 5-on-5. 3-on-3 is a highly anticipated format where the sense of speed unique to small numbers and individual skills stand out. It is a new style adopted for overtime periods in professional leagues like the NHL, and its potential as a future Olympic sport is also being considered.

The tournament will feature a preliminary league with four teams on the first day, followed by a third-place playoff and the final match on the second day. After the final match, an on-ice event where players and fans can interact directly is planned, offering a valuable opportunity to connect with top players in addition to the appeal of the sport.

The participating players and team formations were decided through a draft meeting by the captains, and the proceedings are published on Hirano's YouTube channel 'Y's channel'. The latest information regarding the tournament will be posted on official SNS (X, Instagram) as needed.

Player interviews after each match. Shootout challenges by the audience also generate huge excitement. Loud cheers fill the air for the super plays unfolding right before their eyes.

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[Tournament Overview]
Tournament Name: Hyojin no Ran 2026 Fukuoka
Organizer: Yushiroh Hirano
Management: YHC LLC
Supported by: Japan Ice Hockey Federation, Fukuoka Prefecture Ice Hockey Federation
Dates: Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, 2026
Venue: Ovision Ice Arena Fukuoka (Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
Format: 3on3 / Preliminary league and tournament format with all 4 teams + interactive event
Participating Players: A total of 36 professional players active domestically and internationally, including former Japan national team members
Tournament Catchphrase: 'Everyone is the star, everyone is serious.'

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[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]

Contact: YHC LLC

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[About the Organizer]

Yushiroh Hirano

Born August 18, 1995, in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido

After graduating from Shirakaba Gakuen High School, he joined the Tohoku Free Blades in the Asia League and also gained experience in the Swedish Junior League. He challenged the top junior league in the US (USHL), participated in an NHL rookie camp, and was nominated for the NHL draft.

He played in the AHL (2nd tier) and ECHL (3rd tier) under the NHL umbrella, and in 2022, he recorded his first goal as a Japanese-born player in the AHL. Furthermore, he became the first Japanese player to be called up to an NHL main camp, leading the way for Japanese ice hockey.

He currently plays for Düsseldorfer EG, a prestigious team in the DEL2 (German 2nd division).

He has been selected for the Japan national team since the age of 19, and won the top scorer and best forward awards at the World Championships for two consecutive years.

His desire to liven up the Japanese ice hockey world is stronger than anyone else's, and during the off-season, he holds schools all over the country, appears on variety shows, and disseminates information and the appeal of ice hockey through YouTube and other platforms.

Yushiroh Hirano