The theme of this year’s Asian Heritage Month is “Unity in Diversity”, something Yuto Agapito embodies perfectly.

The 12-year-old rising star, who was born in Japan and is half-Filipino, played this past season for the U13 AA Winnipeg Wild Red, registering 60 goals and 40 assists in 43 games played.

Agapito has spent the majority of his young life in Winnipeg. When his mom Ayumi Yamanouchi was pregnant with him, she took him to Japan while she was on maternity leave so he could be born there.

“We spent basically 10 months in Japan. All of my side of the family lives in Japan still. I actually delivered both of my kids there. Yuto’s sister Miku (10 years old) was also born there.” Yamanouchi said.

Ayumi, now 42, first came to Winnipeg from Japan when she was 16 years old as an international student at Fort Richmond Collegiate. She eventually graduated from the University of Manitoba, started working, met her future husband Mark Agapito, 48, a first generation Canadian, and the rest as they say is history.

Neither Ayumi or Mark Agapito played any hockey whatsoever so when Yuto began playing hockey at 7 years old, there was a steep learning curve for both parents.

“I remember watching Jets games and thinking how it looked like a cool sport to try out with the skating and shooting. It’s so much different than any other sport. The pace and the contact really drew me in to want to start playing.” Yuto Agapito said.

Since he started playing five years ago, Agapito has improved steadily year-over-year. He was the Captain of the U13 AA Winnipeg Wild Red this past season and next year he will make the jump to the RINK Hockey Academy’s U15 team.

This past season, Agapito attended the R1 Hockey Academy, a private school program for Grade 7 students which is affiliated with the RINK Hockey Academy and administered by St. Ignatius School.

Agapito describes himself as playmaker who likes to set up his teammates and despite the fact that he is only 12 years old, he has lofty goals when it comes to the sport.

“Long term, I want to make it as far as I can, hopefully the show. Short term, I just want to do my best and get points, being looked at by scouts and being called by other teams.” Agapito said.

Agapito credits his parents for being his biggest role models and for keeping him grounded, teaching him about his heritage and reminding him about the importance of loving what you do, including working hard to achieve your goals.

“You have to be grateful. You have to appreciate,” Yamanouchi said. “This is part of my culture. People describe Japanese people as polite and stuff like that and I just think that it’s very important as a human being, regardless of where you come from.”

Yuto and his sister Miku have travelled with their parents to Japan twice since they were born. They have not visited the Philippines but they hope to visit the country in the near future.

“We want our kids to experience their origins and their culture. We’ve been blessed to go back to Japan a couple of times to see my wife’s family but we haven’t gone back to Phillipines yet. In Filipino culture, family is very important, and I have instilled that in my kids. My family is an immigrant family so if there’s one thing I always stress is the value of hard work and being humble. That’s the least you can do.” Mark Agapito said.

As he progresses through his hockey career, Yuto Agapito knows more eyes will be on him and he is acutely aware that there are young players of Asian descent who are looking up to him and following his journey.

“When you’re younger, you think, play well, the big kids are watching you. Time passes by and now itb’s play well, the little kids are watching you. You want to show them what you can do and bring diversity into the sport.” Agapito said.

As people across Manitoba and Canada celebrate Asian Heritage Month and acknowledge the many contributions people of Asian origin have made to our country, Yuto and his family will continue to honour their past.

“I don’t have my family here. All of my side is still in Japan so it’s important that I pass on our values and traditions. I want them to still be connected with my family and the culture. No matter where you’re from, that’s what makes you you.” Yamanouchi said.