A Season of Excellence: The 2025–26 Asia League Ice Hockey Overview
The 2025–26 season of Asia League Ice Hockey (AL) marked a significant milestone in the league's history. As the 23rd season of operation and the 21st season of active play, the campaign showcased the growing competitive depth of professional ice hockey in the region. Spanning from 6 September 2025 to 2 April 2026, the season featured 120 games contested by six dedicated teams.
This season was particularly notable for the expansion of the league's roster, welcoming a new contender to the ice and setting the stage for a high-stakes battle for regional supremacy.
Key Facts
- Regular Season Champions: Red Eagles Hokkaido
- Season MVP: Teruto Nakajima (Red Eagles Hokkaido)
- Top Scorer: Makuru Furuhashi (Nikkō Ice Bucks) with 54 points
- Total Teams: 6
- Total Games Played: 120
- Newest Team: Stars Kobe
League Expansion and Participating Teams
The 2025–26 season saw a shift in the league's composition. While five teams returned from the previous 2024–25 season, the league welcomed Stars Kobe as a new member. This expansion brought a fresh dynamic to the competition, increasing the number of active clubs to six.
The participating teams represent various cities across the region, each playing in specialized arenas. Below is a detailed breakdown of the teams, their home cities, and their respective venues.
| Team | City/Town | Arena | Capacity | Previous Season Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL Anyang | Anyang | Anyang Ice Arena | 1,284 | 1st |
| Red Eagles Hokkaido | Tomakomai | Hakucho Arena | 3,015 | 2nd |
| Sapporo | Sapporo | Tsukisamu Gymnasium | 2,321 | - |
| Nikkō Ice Bucks | Nikkō | Nikkō Kirifuri Ice Arena | 1,608 | 3rd |
| Tohoku Free Blades | Hachinohe | Flat Hachinohe | 3,500 | 4th |
| Yokohama Grits | Yokohama | KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skate Center | 2,500 | 5th |
| Stars Kobe | Kobe | Port Island Sports Center | 3,000 | Debut |
Regular Season Performance and Standings
The regular season commenced on 6 September 2025 and concluded on 15 March 2026. The competition was fierce, with Red Eagles Hokkaido emerging as the dominant force, securing the regular season championship title.
The standings were determined by a specific set of AL rules, prioritizing total points, followed by regulation wins, total wins, and head-to-head results. The top four teams earned qualification for the playoffs.
Final Regular Season Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Eagles Hokkaido | 40 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 168 | 90 | +78 | 98 |
| 2 | HL Anyang | 40 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 136 | 102 | +34 | 82 |
| 3 | Nikkō Ice Bucks | 40 | 22 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 149 | 96 | +53 | 78 |
| 4 | Tohoku Free Blades | 40 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 20 | 119 | 121 | −2 | 56 |
| 5 | Yokohama Grits | 40 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 113 | 155 | −42 | 39 |
| 6 | Stars Kobe | 40 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 35 | 70 | 191 | −121 | 7 |
Note: Pld (Played), W (Wins), OTW (Overtime Wins), OTL (Overtime Losses), L (Losses), GF (Goals For), GA (Goals Against), GD (Goal Difference), Pts (Points).
Individual Excellence and Awards
Beyond team success, several players distinguished themselves through exceptional skill and consistency throughout the season. Teruto Nakajima of the Red Eagles Hokkaido was recognized as the Season MVP (Most Valuable Player), while Makuru Furuhashi of the Nikkō Ice Bucks led the league in both scoring and assists, finishing with 54 points.
Season Awards Summary
- Regular Season Champions: Red Eagles Hokkaido
- Most Valuable Player (Regular Season): Teruto Nakajima (Red Eagles Hokkaido)
- Best Goaltender: Kazusa Otsuka (Nikkō Ice Bucks)
- Rookie of the Year: Yuto Taneichi (Yokohama Grits)
- Leading Scorer: Makuru Furuhashi (Nikkō Ice Bucks)
- Leading Assists: Shogo Nakajima (Red Eagles Hokkaido)
- Leading Points: Makuru Furuhashi (Nikkō Ice Bucks)
The First Team (Best Six)
The league also honored the "First Team," representing the elite performers in each position:
- Goaltender (G): Kazusa Otsuka (Nikkō Ice Bucks)
- Defense (D): Koki Yoneyama (Tohoku Free Blades)
- Defense (D): Daisho Sato (Nikkō Ice Bucks)
- Forward (F): Teruto Nakajima (Red Eagles Hokkaido)
- Forward (F): Makuru Furuhashi (Nikkō Ice Bucks)
- Forward (F): Boyvan Alexander (Tohoku Free Blades)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025–26 Asia League Ice Hockey regular season?
The Red Eagles Hokkaido finished at the top of the standings to become the regular season champions.
Which player was the top scorer for the season?
Makuru Furuhashi from the Nikkō Ice Bucks was the top scorer, accumulating a total of 54 points.
How many teams competed in the 2025–26 season?
There were six teams in the league, including the newly formed Stars Kobe.
What are the criteria for the league standings?
Standings are primarily determined by total points. Tie-breaking criteria include regulation wins, total wins, head-to-head results, fewest regulation losses, and goal difference.
Who was named the Rookie of the Year?
Yuto Taneichi of the Yokohama Grits received the Rookie of the Year award.