Announcement of Captain and Alternate Captains for the 2026-2027 Season

The alternate captain marks (A-marks) on game uniforms will be displayed as follows: on HOME uniforms, #88 Yuri Terao and #9 Hiroto Sato; on AWAY uniforms, #81 Kento Suzuki and #76 Anthony Staiger.

For further details, please see below.

◾️ Captain

Ko Suke Otsu

Jersey Number: 11

Position: FW

Date of Birth: September 6, 1993

Hockey Career: Nichidai Meihoku High School → Meiji University → Nippon Seishi Cranes → Higashi Hokkaido Cranes → Hokkaido Wills → H.C. Nikko Ice Bucks (2024–)

〈Comment〉

This season, I will serve as captain—Ko Suke Otsu.

I will lead the team with strong leadership to achieve our goal of winning the championship.

I will take full responsibility for my actions and lead by example.

Thank you for your continued support this season.

◾️ Alternate Captain

Yuri Terao

Jersey Number: 88

Position: FW

Date of Birth: April 29, 1995

Hockey Career: Komazawa University Tomakomai High School → H.C. Nikko Ice Bucks → Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) → H.C. Nikko Ice Bucks → Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) → H.C. Nikko Ice Bucks (2022–)

〈Comment〉

I am truly happy to be sharing another precious season with all of you.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our fans, partner companies, local community members, front staff, players, and everyone involved with the organization.

Throughout my 20s, I focused on accumulating experience. As I enter my 30s, I promise to pursue both quantity and quality with greater dedication and continue evolving.

Thank you for your continued support of the Ice Bucks this season.

◾️ Alternate Captain

Kento Suzuki

Jersey Number: 81

Position: FW

Date of Birth: December 9, 1994

Hockey Career: Hokkaido High School → Chuo University → Nippon Seishi Cranes → H.C. Nikko Ice Bucks (2019–)

〈Comment〉

This season, I will fight hard so that we can all finish with smiles at the end.

We aim to achieve the league championship and playoff title that eluded us last season, so we appreciate your continued passionate support throughout this season.

◾️ Alternate Captain

Hiroto Sato

Jersey Number: 9

Position: DF

Date of Birth: November 15, 1993

Hockey Career: Bujokan High School → H.C. Nikko Ice Bucks (2014–)

〈Comment〉

Returning as an alternate captain after two seasons, I believe my mindset remains unchanged—whether in action or in silence. I will strive to lead the team by example.

Thank you for your continued support.

◾️ Alternate Captain

Anthony Staiger

Jersey Number: 76

Position: FW

Date of Birth: August 21, 1993

Hockey Career: EHC Winterthur (NLB) → HC Ajoie Loan (NLB) → EHC Winterthur (SL) → EHC Kloten Loan (NLA Q) → EHC Winterthur (SL) → HC La Chaux-de-Fonds Loan (SL) → EHC Kloten (SL) → HC Ajoie Loan (SL) → EHC Winterthur (SL) → HC Thurgau (SL) → H.C. Nikko Ice Bucks (2026–)

〈Comment〉

I am deeply honored to be selected as an alternate captain.

I believe I can bring diverse knowledge and experience to the team, and I will do my best.

I am truly looking forward to seeing our arena filled with passionate fans.