Kourtney Kunichika

Kourtney Midori Kunichika (born November 7, 1991) is an American former professional ice hockey forward, who played for the Buffalo Beauts in the NWHL. She is the third highest scorer in Beauts history.

Kourtney Kunichika
Born (1991-11-07) November 7, 1991
Fullerton, California
Height 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Position Forward
Shot Right
Played for Buffalo Beauts
RIT Tigers
Playing career 2015–2018

Career

Early life

Kunichika only began playing ice hockey at the age of 10. Prior to that, she had played roller hockey in her hometown state of California.[1]

College

Kunichika played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) between 2010 and 2014. She scored 136 points in 129 career games and remains RIT's leader in career games played.[2][3]

NWHL

She signed with the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) in August 2015.[4][5]

In 2017, she won the Isobel Cup with the Beauts.[6][7]

In 2018, she announced her retirement from professional hockey.[8]

Playing style

She was noted for her strong two-way play as well as her creativity. She spent her three years in the NWHL as the Beauts' top centre, often leading the team in faceoffs and on the power-play. Never making an All-Star game appearance, she was considered by some to be one of the underrated players of the league.[9]

Personal life

Kunichika currently owns and runs a Hawaiian restaurant in Batavia, New York with her wife.[10][11] She had worked in the restaurant industry during her professional career with the Beauts.[12]

Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2015-16Buffalo BeautsNWHL 1898174 50112
2016-17Buffalo BeautsNWHL 1729116 20000
2017-18Buffalo BeautsNWHL 15410148 20112
NWHL totals 5015274218 90224

Awards and honours
  • NWHL Co-Player of the Week, Awarded February 28, 2018[13]

References
  1. https://www.theicegarden.com/2018/1/4/16820264/q-a-kourtney-kunichika-buffalo-beauts-nwhl
  2. "RIT Athletics – Kourtney Kunichika – 2013–14 RIT Women's Hockey".
  3. Oliver, Nathaniel (May 2, 2017). "'Warm California Sun' – Beauts' Kourtney Kunichika". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  4. "Figueroa and Kunichika Join NWHL Teams".
  5. Hsieh, Ren (April 18, 2016). "Asian Players Helping to Make History in Women's Pro Hockey". Discover Nikkei. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  6. Murphy, Mike (October 12, 2017). "Inside the NWHL: Buffalo Beauts' replenished power play still one to fear". Sporting News. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  7. Jackson-Gibson, Adele (July 5, 2017). "Buffalo Beauts re-sign Kourtney Kunichika, Lisa Chesson for 2017–18". Excelle Sports. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  8. https://www.diebytheblade.com/2018/9/15/17862974/key-players-missing-from-buffalo-beauts-roster
  9. https://www.theicegarden.com/2017/11/20/16676198/kourtney-kunichika-buffalo-beauts-womens-hockey-nwhl-underrated-unsung-star
  10. https://buffalonews.com/2019/09/11/love-story-leads-to-hawaiian-restaurant-in-batavia/
  11. https://www.islandshawaiiangrill.com/about
  12. https://www.thebatavian.com/maria-pericozzi/buffalo-beauts-veteran-player-and-batavia-resident-prepares-to-defend-isobel-cup
  13. "NWHL Players of The Week: Emily Field and Kourtney Kunichika". nwhl.zone. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
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