Japanese goalie Yutaka Fukufuji was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the eighth round of the NHL entry draft this past weekend, the Japan Ice Hockey League said Monday.
The 21-year-old Kokudo player, who was selected 238th overall, became only the second Japanese NHL draft pick in history following Hiroyuki Miura in 1992.
"I'm really thrilled. I wanted to be picked someday and people started talking about the possibility about two years ago. I still have to discuss it with my company, but I'm personally ready to go over there and play," said Fukufuji.