This is a list of ice hockey players who have ancestry in East Asia and/or Southeast Asia. We have forgotten to include players with South Asian ancestry.
Players with NHL experience[]
Active[]
Name | Position | Ethnicity | Nationality | Debut | Notes | Teams |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matt Dumba | Defenceman | Filipino and German | Canadian | October 5, 2013
(Anaheim Ducks) |
Made his NHL debut on October 5, 2013, for the Minnesota Wild. | 2012-"present": Minnesota Wild |
Spencer Foo | Forward | Chinese and Caucasian | Canadian | Made his NHL debut March 31, 2018 | Foo was a highly sought out college free agent signed by the Flames in the 2017 offseason. Travelled with the Flames to China in the 2018-19 NHL preseason. | 2017-"present": Calgary Flames, Stockton Heat |
Victor Bartley | Defenceman | Malaysian | Canadian | March 8, 2013
(Edmonton Oilers) |
Made his NHL debut on March 8, 2013, for the Nashville Predators. | 2013-2016: Nashville Predators
2016: Montreal Canadiens 2016-17: Minnesota Wild |
Brandon Yip | Right Wing | Chinese and Irish | Canadian | December 19, 2009
(Columbus Blue Jackets) |
He scored his first NHL goal on December 22, 2009 against Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks. | 2009-2011: Colorado Avalanche
2011-2013: Nashville Predators 2013/14: Phoenix Coyotes 2014 - Present: Playing in the DEL |
Stuart Percy | Defenceman | Japanese | Canadian | October 8, 2014
(Montreal Canadiens) |
Made his NHL debut on October 8, 2014, for the Toronto Maple Leafs. | 2014-16: Toronto Maple Leafs
2016-17: Pittsburgh Penguins |
Jonathan Matsumoto | Centre | Japanese | Canadian | November 1, 2010
(Philadelphia Flyers) |
Made his NHL debut on November 1, 2010, for the Carolina Hurricanes. | 2010-12: Carolina Hurricanes
2012: Florida Panthers 2012-13: San Jose Sharks 2013-14: San Antonio Rampage 2014-present: DEL Red Bull Munchen |
Kailer Yamamoto | Right Wing | Japanese | American | October 4, 2017
(Edmonton Oilers) |
Made his NHL debut on October 4, 2017 against Calgary. | 2017-2023: Edmonton Oilers
2023-present: Seattle Kraken |
Dylan Sikura | Centre | Japanese | Canadian | March 29, 2018
(Chicago Blackhawks) |
Made his NHL debut on the same game that Scott Foster debuted in. | 2017-present: Chicago Blackhawks |
Kiefer Sherwood | Left Wing | Japanese | American | October 3, 2018
(San Jose Sharks) |
Brother of Kole Sherwood. Signed by the Anaheim Ducks as a college free agent on March 2, 2018. | 2018-present: Anaheim Ducks |
Kole Sherwood | Right Wing | Japanese | American | February 2, 2019
(Chicago Blackhawks) |
Brother of Kiefer Sherwood. Was a member of the London Knights when they won the Memorial Cup in 2015-16. | 2019-present: Columbus Blue Jackets |
Joshua Ho-Sang | Left Wing | Chinese and Caribbean | Canadian | March 2, 2017
(Dallas Stars) |
Ho-Sang was chosen 28th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He wore number 66 early on in his career to honour Mario Lemieux. | 2017-2019: New York Islanders |
Jason Robertson | Left wing | Filipino American | American | February 13, 2020
(Maple Leafs) |
Jason’s younger brother was drafted in 2019 by Toronto. | 2017-present: Dallas Stars (active since 2020) |
Retired[]
Names in italics have won the Stanley Cup.
Name | Position | Ethnicity | Nationality | Debut | Notes | Teams |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Beckford-Tseu | Goaltender | Chinese and Afro-American | Canadian | February 21, 2008
(Los Angeles Kings) |
Single game NHL experience on February 21, 2008 for the St. Louis Blues. | 2008: St. Louis Blues |
Raymond Sawada | Right Wing | Japanese and Italian | Canadian | February 19, 2009
(Edmonton Oilers) |
Made his NHL debut on February 19, 2009 for the Dallas Stars. | 2009–2011: Dallas Stars
2011-2013: St. John's IceCaps 2015 - "Retired" |
Tim Stapleton | Forward | Filipino and Irish | Canadian | February 26, 2009
(New York Islanders) |
Scored his first goal as a result of an own-goal by Jason Spezza. | 2009-10: Toronto Maple Leafs
2010-11: Atlanta Thrashers 2011-12: Winnipeg Jets 2012-18: Many European teams |
Peter Ing | Goaltender | |||||
Yutaka Fukufuji | Goaltender | Japanese | Japanese | January 13, 2007
(St. Louis Blues) |
First Japanese-born player to play in the NHL and second Japanese national to be drafted by a NHL team. Has played in a total of four NHL games for the Los Angeles Kings. Currently playing for the Nikko Ice Bucks of the Asia League Ice Hockey. | 2007: Los Angeles Kings |
Paul Kariya | Left Wing | Japanese and Scottish | Canadian | January 20, 1995
(Edmonton Oilers) |
He scored his first NHL goal on January 27, 1995 against the Winnipeg Jets. Five-time NHL All-Star, Two-time Canadian Olympic Team Member. First player of Asian descent to have captained a NHL team. NHL veteran with over 900 games of experience. | 1995–2003: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
2003–2004: Colorado Avalanche 2005–2007: Nashville Predators 2007– 2010: St. Louis Blues |
Steve Kariya | Left Wing | Japanese and Scottish | Canadian | He scored his first NHL goal on October 9, 1999 against the Montreal Canadiens. Younger brother of Paul Kariya. Limited NHL experience of 65 games over three seasons. | 1999–2002: Vancouver Canucks | |
Devin Setoguchi | Right Wing | Japanese | Canadian | October 29, 2007 (Dallas Stars) | He scored his first two regular-season NHL goals on October 29, 2007, in his first NHL game. Scored 31 goals and added 65 points in 81 games with the Jan Jose Sharks in 2008-09. | 2007-11: San Jose Sharks
2011-13: Minnesota Wild 2013-14: Winnipeg Jets 2014-15: Calgary Flames 2016-17: LA Kings |
Larry Kwong | Center | Chinese | Canadian | March 13, 1948
(Montreal Canadiens) |
First Chinese Canadian and first player of Asian descent to play in the NHL. Played in one NHL game for the New York Rangers on March 13, 1948 against the Montreal Canadiens. | 1948: New York Rangers |
Jim Paek | Defense | Korean[ | Canadian | October 13, 1990
(New York Islanders) |
First South Korean born player to play in the NHL. Retired with over 200 games of experience in four NHL seasons. Two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins. | 1990–1993: Pittsburgh Penguins
1994: Los Angeles Kings 1994–1995: Ottawa Senators |
Richard Park | Right Wing | Korean | American | May 3, 1995
(Florida Panthers) |
Second South Korean born player to play in the NHL. First player of Korean descent to captain a NHL team. Made his NHL debut and his first NHL assist on May 3, 1995 against the Florida Panthers. NHL veteran with over 530 games of experience. | 1995–1996: Pittsburgh Penguins
1996–1998: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 1998–1999: Philadelphia Flyers 2001–2004: Minnesota Wild 2005–2006: Vancouver Canucks 2006–2010: New York Islanders |
Jamie Storr | Goaltender | Japanese and Canadian | Canadian | January 24, 1995
(Dallas Stars) |
Made his NHL debut/start on January 24, 1995 against the Dallas Stars. First NHL win on January 28, 1995 against the Winnipeg Jets. First NHL shutout on December 22, 1997 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Has over 200 games of NHL experience. | 1995–2003: Los Angeles Kings
2003–2004: Carolina Hurricanes |
David Tanabe | Defense | Japanese and American | American | October 7, 1999
(Philadelphia Flyers) |
He scored his first NHL goal on October 11, 1999 against Grant Fuhr of the Calgary Flames. Fast skating defensemen with over 400 games of NHL experience. Career was cut short by concussion. | 1999–2003: Carolina Hurricanes
2003–2005: Phoenix Coyotes 2005–2006: Boston Bruins 2006–2008: Carolina Hurricanes |
Mike Wong | Center | Chinese and Native American | American | October 11, 1975
(California Golden Seals) |
22 games of NHL experience from one season with the Detroit Red Wings. He scored his first and only goal in the NHL career on April 4, 1976 against Michel Plasse of the Pittsburgh Penguins. | 1975–1976: Detroit Red Wings |
Notable players without NHL experience[]
Active[]
- Brandon Wong (Canadian), Center: Born in Canada of Chinese and Canadian parents. Most recently played for KRS-BSU Beijing in the VHL. Attended Ottawa Senators Training Camp in 2014.
- Jason Robertson, (American), Right Wing: Player of Filipino descent was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 2nd round (39th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
- Tyler Inamoto, (American), Defenceman: Player of Japanese descent was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 5th round (133rd overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
- Cliff Pu, (Canadian), Forward: Player of Chinese descent was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 3rd round (69th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
- Tyler Wong, (Canadian), Right Wing: Player of Chinese descent was undrafted and signed an AHL contract to play for the Chicago Wolves. He scored a hat-trick in his preseason debut for the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL in the franchises' first preseason game. He has not played a NHL regular season match.
- Jonathan Ang, (Canadian), Centre: Player of Malaysian descent was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 4th round (94th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
- Nick Suzuki, (Canadian), Centre: Player of Japanese descent was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 1st round (13th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
- Jett Woo, (Canadian), Defenceman: Player of Chinese descent was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2nd round (36th overall) of the 2018 NHL draft.
- Austin Wong, (Canadian), Forward: Player of Chinese descent was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 7th round (215th overall) of the 2018 NHL draft.
- Zachary Yuen, (Canadian), Defenceman: Player of Chinese descent was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 4th round (119th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry draft.
- Parker Foo, (Canadian), Forward: Player of Chinese descent was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 5th round (144th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
- Andong Song, (Chinese), Defenceman: Player of Chinese descent was drafted by the New York Islanders in the 6th round (172nd overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He became the first Chinese-born player to be selected by an NHL hockey team.
- Dean Yakura, (Japanese), Center: Player of Chinese descent has played most of his career in the FHL and the ECHL, most recently with the Adirondack Thunder.
- Ryan Suzuki, (Canadian), Center: Player of Japanese descent is a top prospect who was selected first overall in the OHL Entry draft by the Barrie Colts in 2017. He is eligible to be drafted into the NHL in 2019.
- Tyler Ho, (Canadian), Forward: Player of Chinese descent is a prospect playing for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. He is eligible to be drafted into the NHL in 2019.
- Nick Robertson
- Nick Wong
- Jonah Imoo, (Canadian), Goaltender: Player of Japanese descent attended the Los Angeles Kings training camp. When he made his AHL Debut for the Ontario Reign, he was backed up by his father, Dusty Imoo, the goalie coach for the LA Kings and the 1998 Team Japan Olympic goaltender.
- Tyler Sikura, (Canadian), Left Wing: Player of Japanese descent is signed by the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.
Retired[]
- Jomar Cruz, (Canadian), Goaltender: A son of Filipino expatriates in Canada was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 2nd round (49th overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
- Frank Joo, (Canadian), Defense: Player of Korean descent was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 8th round (164th overall) of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft.
- Hiroyuki Miura, (Japanese), Defence: First Japanese player to be drafted by a NHL team. The Montreal Canadiens chose him in the 11th round (260th overall) of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. Currently not playing.
- Torrie Jung, (Canadian), Goaltender: Mixed background of Chinese and Irish. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 7th round (183rd overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
- Martin Kariya (Canadian), Center: Younger brother of Paul and Steve Kariya. Mixed background of Japanese and Scottish.
- Ryan Kuwabara, (Canadian), Right Wing: Born in Canada of Japanese parents, drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2nd round (39th overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.
- Matt Oikawa, (Canadian), Right Wing: Player of Japanese descent was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 9th round (226th overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.
- Shim Kyuin, (South Korean), Left Wing: Second Korean-born player to be drafted by a NHL team. The Edmonton Oilers chose him in the 8th round (181st overall) of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.
- Steve Tsujiura, (Canadian), Center: Player of Japanese descent was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 10th round (205th overall) of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft.
Other[]
- Taro Tsujimoto: An imaginary ice hockey player that was legally drafted by the NHL's Buffalo Sabres in the 11th round of the 1974 NHL Entry Draft
- Rod Langway: Hockey Hall of Fame member born in Taipei, Taiwan when father was stationed there in the United States Military, not of Aisan ancestory but only NHL player to date born in Taiwan.