Hirose Lands Deal With German Team

Left wing Taro Hirose, a member of the Detroit Red Wings organization for five years, has signed a deal to play for the Munich Red Bull in the German League.

The Red Wings signed Hirose as a college free agent out of Michigan State after the 2018-19 season. He played 60 games for Detroit over four different seasons. Hirose, 28, didn’t spend any time last season with the Red Wings, but played 54 games (nine goals, 36 points) for the their Grand Rapids Griffins farm team.

Ex-@NHL-Spieler Taro Hirose verstärkt unser Team!👊
Der gebürtige Kanadier wird die #redbulls als Außenstürmer unterstützen und künftig die Nummer 17 tragen.🙌
Herzlich willkommen in München, Taro!🤗
👉https://t.co/CEwepbNLLA pic.twitter.com/skqYI7aZF7

— EHC Red Bull München (@RedBullMuenchen) September 13, 2024

The Red Bulls signed Hirose as a replacement for the injured Trevor Parkes who is also a former Griffins player. Smallish forward Hirose is a play-making winger with quality power play instincts. He will wear No. 17 in Munich.

The Winnipeg native was a Hobey Baker candidate in his final season at Michigan State.

Hirose’s best season in Detroit came in 2019-20 when he played in 26 games and logged seven points. He did boast back-to-back 50-plus point seasons for the Griffins in 2021-22 and 2022-23. He is one of a few former Red Wings signing at the last minute. Gustav Lindstrom and Mark Pysyk landed PTOs with Anaheim earlier this week, and Matt Luff is getting a similar tryout with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Hirose’s brother Akito, 25, is in the Vancouver Canucks’ organization.