The Akita Northern Happinets gained valuable experience as the back-to-back championship runner-up squad the past two seasons, but they didn't fulfill their ultimate goal.
Despite the disappointment of losing consecutive title games, the Northern Happinets remain one of the league's elite teams.
It all starts with a deep roster and a coach, hometown hero Makoto Hasegawa, who has been in the league since its inception in 2005, first as a player (Niigata Albirex BB, then Akita) and now as a bench boss. He is in his second season at the helm.