Aomori's junior ice hockey team "Aomori Junior" is currently putting effort into practice for the "41st Toou Nippo Cup Contest Aomori Prefecture Chibikko Ice Hockey Tournament" on February 18th and 19th.

Established in 1986, Aomori Junior is the only junior ice hockey team in Aomori City, and its home rink is Moriunyu Arena (Aomori Prefectural Skating Rink = Hamada, Aomori City). The group consists of 4 junior high school students and 15 elementary school students led by Kiyoshi Sugimoto.

The tournament is a tournament for elementary school students in which eight teams from Aomori Prefecture participate. It will be the last game for the 6th graders to play with the current members.

According to public relations manager Yuki Chiba, Aomori Junior is currently focusing on "strengthening defense" and "coordination" in preparation for the tournament. “Aomori Junior is a team that defends rather than attacks.

The main axis of the team is Taito Saito (6th year), who is the captain of the team, and Takumi Takahashi (4th year), who is the center of attack and the top scorer. The two are said to have played together for seven years. Saito-kun said with a smile, "All the members are good friends and have good teamwork. The reason we get along so well is because we go to different schools, but we hang out together even outside of practice." "The team's task is to counter the attack. We are all practicing by talking to each other," he said.

Mr. Chiba said, "Until now, there were many times when one player held the puck (ball) for a long time and scored the goal, but we are practicing repeatedly so that we can connect the pass and assist the goal. The team is getting results. At the Tou Nippo Cup, I want everyone to have something to take home, regardless of whether they win or lose."

Saito said, “I can play hockey thanks to my parents. I'll do my best to aim for it," he said enthusiastically.

Aomori Juniors will face Hachinohe's junior ice hockey team "Hachikura Pirates" in their first match.