Yokohama Grits

Yokohama Grits
CityYokohama, Kanagawa
LeagueAsia League Ice Hockey
Founded2 May 2019; 5 years ago (2 May 2019)[1]
Home arenaKosé Shin-Yokohama Skate Center
ColoursBlue, black, white
     
Owner(s)Akihito Usui
Head coachJeff Flanagan
Websitegrits-sport.com

The Yokohama Grits (Japanese: 横浜グリッツ, romanized: Yokohama gurittsu) are a professional ice hockey team based in Yokohama, Japan. They are a members of Asia League Ice Hockey and play their home games at the Kosé Shin-Yokohama Skate Center.

History

The Yokohama Grits were founded on 2 May 2019 by Grits Sports Innovators Corporation, an organisation led by Akihito Usui.[2] The Grits are the first ice hockey team based in the Greater Tokyo Area since the Seibu Prince Rabbits folded in 2009.[1] On 2 June 2020 the team was announced as the eighth member of Asia League Ice Hockey,[3] with former NHL player Mike Kennedy serving as the head coach.[1] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia, the league cancelled its planned 2020–21 season, and a three-country Asia League tournament was scheduled instead.[4] In October of the same year, the Grits took part in the Asia League Japan Cup.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c "「横浜GRITS」アジアリーグ加盟正式決定！横浜市初のプロアイスホッケーチーム誕生 東京圏12季ぶり" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Yokohama gets gritty". IIHF. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  3. ^ "About nominating new teams". ALIH. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Announcement: 2020–2021 Season (UPDATED)". ALIH. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Announcement: Pre-Season Matches". ALIH. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
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