Thursday, 11. December 2025 |
EHC Red Bull München: Interview with Taro Hirose
Taro, you're on a real roll at the moment. Not only are you the team's top scorer, you're also one of the best scorers in the DEL. What do you think is going particularly well for you at the moment?
Taro Hirose: "I just stick to our team system and play my game within that system. I don't focus too much on the result as long as I'm doing the right thing – that is, creating scoring opportunities for my line. I don't put too much pressure on myself and do what I can to help the team win."
Your great qualities lie in your passing, where sequences and blind understanding play a big role. Which teammates have you found synergy with particularly quickly?
Hirose: “So far, it's been working really well with all the guys on the power play. Now that Chris DeSousa is back, with him too. The same goes for Adam Brooks and Jeremy McKenna lately. We talk a lot when we're playing on the same line – what we see, how we can find each other, and how we can create the best chances. They help me and I help them. Overall, our power play is going really well.”
Are there any tricks to internalizing and implementing these processes more quickly, or does it simply require spending time together on the ice?
Hirose: “Basically, it's mainly the time spent on the ice. There's no special formula. In training, you try out a lot of things – trial and error. You don't worry too much about mistakes, but look at what works and what doesn't, and talk about it. In the end, it's about consistency and doing the little things right every day and in every game.”
Goal scorer Fontaine celebrates after strong build-up play from Hirose.
How would you describe the chemistry in the locker room in general—and what makes this team special for you?
Hirose: "All the guys are great. We spend a lot of time together, even outside the rink, where we can relax, talk, let off steam, and get things off our chests. Especially when you're not in the arena, sometimes things come to mind that you want to talk about. Spending time together—whether it's about hockey or not—helps us as a team. Both in the locker room and on the ice."
What do you do to balance out hockey? Last summer, you had the idea of going golfing with the guys. Did you do that?
Hirose: “I haven't actually played golf here in Munich yet. It's more of a summer thing, to clear your head. During the season, I prefer to focus fully on ice hockey. But video games, movies, shopping, or having a coffee with the guys – those are the things that help me switch off between games.”
And how is your fantasy football team doing this year?
Hirose (laughs): “I think I'm currently first in the team. Hopefully I'll make it to the playoffs. I love football, and fantasy football is a pretty big topic in our locker room.”
What differences do you notice between the sports culture in North America and Germany—as a fan and also as an athlete?
Hirose: “The fans here are much louder and more intense at soccer and hockey games. The chants and cheering are completely different from back home. You don't see that in Canada—neither in soccer nor in the NHL or AHL. But the love for the sport is just as great.”
Highlights: EHC Red Bull München vs. Kölner Haie (10.12.2025)
// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS
Do you miss anything from home in terms of sports?
Hirose: “Not really. The lifestyle as a player is similar or even easier: less traveling, fewer games—my body feels better and my head is clearer. There's not much I miss.”
Are there any traditions or habits from home that you have kept up here or would like to consciously continue? Perhaps with Christmas in mind?
Hirose: “Not really. My family is very straightforward – gifts and spending time together.”
What about food?
Hirose: “I love macaroni and cheese. We always eat something nice together, but it doesn't have to be anything fancy.”
Is that also your credo during the season? Before or after games?
Hirose: “Before the game, we usually have something simple, like Bolognese or chicken pasta. After the game, it doesn't really matter – but I'd rather not say too much so our nutritionists don't get mad (laughs).”
Last year, your family visited over the holidays. How did they like the Christmas markets?
Hirose: “It was great. My mother and aunt loved the mulled wine, and it was nice to show them everything. We don't have that at home.”
Will you be doing the same again this year?
Hirose: “There are no plans for that at the moment – at least not in Munich. They'll probably visit my brother in Bremerhaven, who's new to Europe. I'll see them when we play there on December 21. We'll probably celebrate Christmas there this year.”
Brothers in the DEL: Akito Hirose has been playing in Bremerhaven since the end of September.
If you could wish for three things for Christmas, what would they be?
Hirose: “Probably a book. Brooks and I have been talking about swapping books—he's reading some good ones at the moment. I actually have everything I need, so I can't think of many wishes. But a book would definitely be one of them.”
And, of course, the championship...
Hirose (laughs): “I don't really want to look that far into the future. But sure—that would definitely be one of my wishes!”
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Eighth consecutive home win: Red Bulls decide top match against Cologne in overtime // DEL - MATCH REPORT
Advance ticket sales for home games launched until the end of the main round // CURRENT
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