Riku Ishida has a new employer. © BK Photo

Meran's Japanese ventures into the USA

Last season, he made a significant contribution to HC Merano's success. However, Riku Ishida will no longer be playing defense for the Eagles. It has now been announced that the Japanese player is moving to the USA.

August 01, 2025

From: leo

It was already clear shortly after the season that HC Merano and Riku Ishida would part ways. Unlike Teruto Nakajima, who decided to return to his native Japan, Ishida is moving to the United States. As announced Wednesday, the Bloomington Bison have signed the right-handed shooter. The club plays in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and is the farm team of the New York Rangers.

Ishida came to Merano last summer at the request of then-coach Jarrod Skalde and was particularly impressive during the regular season. With 31 points in 36 games, he was the team's third-leading scorer behind Massimo Pietroniro and Daniel Gellon. In the playoffs, Patrick Madsen took over as the lead player in Merano's defense. A minus-5 rating and just two points in nine games confirmed Ishida's declining performance.

Japanese Society in Bloomington

The 25-year-old has been a fixture on the Japanese national team for years, even captaining them last season. He was also part of the Japanese squad at the Division XNUMXA World Championship, which saw them finish fourth in their Italy group and thus avoid relegation. Kohei Sato, another Japanese international, is on the Bison roster.