11-Year-Old Japanese Hockey Prodigy Could Be the NHL’s Next Superstar

Aito Iguchi is an 11-year-old hockey prodigy from Japan who has been very visible online lately showing off some incredible stick-handling and ice-maneuvering skills.

The Saitama, Japan native has captivated both ice hockey fans and non-fans alike from all over the world due to his impressive moves and accurate shooting.

Iguchi first picked up a hockey stick at five years old and has been playing ever since. He began by imitating top NHL players from highlight footage found online. He has joined several minor leagues in the past and has been instrumental in leading his teams to championships, according to NHL.com.

The young talent is now the subject of a new video that documents his journey to Canada and training with popular Hockey coach Pavel Barber. The coach is getting Aito accustomed to playing against better competition in the North American region, reports Fox Sports.

With some in-play footage coming from GoPro, the incredible POV scenes perfectly capture his extraordinary skills. He is shown plowing through defenders with ease, employing some split-second change of direction, and finally delivering the shot with pinpoint accuracy.

It will be five more years before Iguchi is eligible for the NHL Draft but it’s highly probable that NHL scouts are already monitoring him. With proper guidance and discipline, he still has the potential to become a lot better before he turns pro in 2021.