Kenta Matsukane, leaving the Yokohama Grits

 

Read his interview and full story here in japanese
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Kenta Matsukane’s retirement from the Grits (interview)

(Above interview translated into English ↓)

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DF #52 Kenta Matsugane — Farewell Interview

We have officially announced that DF #52 Kenta Matsugane will be departing the team at the end of this season, following the expiration of his contract.

Kenta Matsugane’s Comments

After contract negotiations, you’ve made the decision to leave the team. How are you feeling?

After going through the negotiation process, it became clear that it was time for me to move on.
I spent two seasons here with Yokohama GRITS, and from Day 1 — when the team welcomed me so warmly after I joined late from Australia — every single day has been something truly precious to me.

What has your time with GRITS meant to you beyond just hockey?

This chapter also marked the start of my dual career, and it’s thanks to GRITS that I’ve been able to expand what’s possible in my life.
The club gave me that platform, and I’m genuinely grateful for it.

Any regrets looking back?

I do regret that we weren’t able to achieve bigger results together as a team.
That stays with me. But at the same time, I’m proud of what I was able to share with this young group — especially when it comes to mentality and mindset.
I believe I contributed something meaningful in that area, and I’m excited to watch how these guys grow from here.

 

Any final words for the fans, sponsors, and staff?

To all the fans, sponsors, and everyone involved in running our games — I want to take this opportunity to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
You are the reason I fell in love with Kanagawa, Yokohama, and Shin-Yokohama.
Truly, thank you.

I also want to say how grateful I am to be able to live as a professional, supported by so many people.
And while results on the ice tend to grab all the headlines, for me, the real value lies in the everyday moments that hockey brings — the daily life built around this sport.
The Yokohama chapter is now closing, but I genuinely look forward to connecting with hockey fans out on the ice in the future.

I will continue cheering for Yokohama GRITS and GRITS Sports Innovators Inc. — wishing the organization nothing but continued growth and success. Thank you so much.

 

Comments from President Usui & GM Mikoshiba

How would you describe Kenta’s contribution over the past two seasons?

Kenta Matsugane brought high-level skill and intelligent play to our defensive corps across two full seasons, and saying goodbye to him is genuinely difficult.

Two years ago, he joined GRITS fresh off a season in the Australian league, and from the very first game he made an immediate and commanding impact.
His decision-making backed by years of experience, his composed play under pressure, and his ability to change the momentum of a game — all of it contributed enormously to this team.

What did he mean to the younger players?

For our young defensemen especially, Kenta was an incredible resource.
There was so much they could learn simply by watching how he played and how he carried himself.
He helped push their growth in a big way.

 

He also embodied something important about GRITS’ vision, didn’t he?

Absolutely.
The way he committed to both his career and his hockey while pursuing a dual career path was a living example of the vision Yokohama GRITS holds dear.
He truly walked the talk.

It sounds like the contract situation was a difficult one.

It was.
Ultimately, given the balance with his professional commitments outside of hockey, we were unable to reach an agreement, and that is something we genuinely regret.
But as a club, we are deeply grateful for everything he gave to this team.

Any parting words for Kenta?

Kenta has always said he wants to keep playing into his forties.
We believe he’ll do exactly that — and we hope he continues to thrive in both business and on the ice.

Kenta, thank you for two incredible seasons.
Please keep spreading that unique energy of yours — that spirit of “dreams and the will to live” — to everyone around you.
We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!

 

(translated from the website above)

Dave Koco’s Take

Kenta Matsukane was a fan favorite.
We needed help on defence and found it in Australia.
He came from the Sydney Bears to our Yokohama Grits.

Kenta Matsukane exclusive Kocohama interview!

 

He worked hard on and off the ice.
He had two assists in The Japan Cup in 2025. In the same season 3 goals, 7 assists, and 10 points. In 2026 in only 16 games played he had 4 Goals, 14  assists, and 18 points.

We had the honor to interview him early this year.
He will be missed.

Once a Grit always a Grit.
Grits Gang is for life.