FAIRFIELD, Conn. (April 10, 2023) – First-year forward Chikara Hanzawa (Tokyo, Japan) has been selected to the 24-player roster of the Japanese Men's National Ice Hockey Team for the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, as announced late last week by the Japan Ice Hockey Federation. Hanzawa and the rest of Team Japan will travel to Estonia for Division I, Group B play April 23-29.

"I'm excited and honored to be able to represent my country," said Hanzawa. "I would like to thank all the Sacred Heart men's hockey team staff, coaches, teammates, professors and athletic directors who helped make this happen."

Hanzawa was in Tomakomai, Japan, for the team's selection camp on April 1-6. Following the conclusion of the selection camp, the Japan Ice Hockey Federation selected its 24-player roster for Word Championship play. The team is currently in Miskolc, Hungary, through April 19, going through its pre-tournament training camp. Division I, Group B play is set for April 23-29 in Talliin, Estonia.

Division I, Group B is the third tier of the IIHF's World Championship structure. Team Japan will play a round-robin tournament against five other nations: China, Estonia, Netherlands, Serbia and Ukraine. The winner of the group will advance to Division I, Group A for the 2024 World Championships, while the last-place finisher will be demoted to Division II, Group A. Japan finished second in Division I, Group B in 2022, missing promotion by just two points.

"We could not be prouder of Chikara for making Japan's World Championship team," said SHU head coach C.J. Marottolo. "Any time you get to wear the jersey of your home country, it is an honor and a privilege. We expect Chikara to have a great tournament and we know his play will make his country proud. Many thanks to all the people at Sacred Heart for helping Chikara realize this dream."

Hanzawa is one of just two players on the Team Japan roster with North America connections, as he is joined by Yushiroh Hirano of the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks. Hanzawa is currently the only Japanese native playing NCAA Division I men's ice hockey.

Team Japan will open tournament play against Netherlands on April 23.