Maruo, a veteran of both the X League and the Canadian Football League, leaves Panasonic with one of the most accomplished resumes in Japanese American football. He has been a perennial championship contributor in both countries, routinely competing deep into the postseason and playing key roles on title-contending teams.
During his playing career in Japan he played with the Asahi Soft Drink Challengers while the team was part of X1 Area, after which he journeyed to the CFL where he played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (winning in one and playing in a total of three Grey Cups), Edmonton Elks and Ottawa Redblacks. In 2024 and this past 2025 season, Les helped lead the Panasonic Impulse to back to back Rice Bowl championships.
His career highlights include:
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2019 – X1 Area Championship appearance (runner-up)
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2020 – X1 Area West Champion (COVID-shortened season)
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2021 – Grey Cup Champion
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2022 – Grey Cup runner-up; Rice Bowl runner-up
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2023 – Grey Cup runner-up; Rice Bowl runner-up
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2024 – Rice Bowl Champion
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2025 – Rice Bowl Champion
Maruo has frequently balanced CFL seasons in Canada with late-season returns to Japan, rejoining X League clubs for postseason runs — a rare trans-Pacific career path that underscores both his role as a pioneer in football, as well as his durability and value at the highest levels of the sport.
Wide receiver Brennan, a graduate of Waseda University, exits Panasonic as a proven contributor with top-tier pedigree. Together, Maruo and Brennan immediately become two of the most sought-after free agents available as teams across the newly formed X-Premier adjust to roster limits and contract allocations.
With championship experience on both sides of the Pacific, Maruo in particular one hopes that both will draw strong interest from clubs looking to add postseason-tested leadership under the league’s new structure.
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