LATEST | Vancouver Canucks affiliate signs their first female

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Cooper Godin
September 19, 2023 (10:27)

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The Vancouver Canucks' ECHL affiliate, Kalamazoo Wings, made some history this week after announcing they've signed goaltender Mariah Fujimagari to a professional tryout contract (PTO).

Fujimagari, 29, becomes the first female goaltender signed in Wings history, whether to a professional tryout or standard player contract.

"Player signed to pro tryout by @KalamazooWings: G Mariah Fujimagari/@Fujimagoalie (1-11-0 w/ a 4.52 GAA & .877 SV% + a shutout in 14 GP for @AIKishockey [women's team] in the @SDHLse [Sweden] last season). She's played pro for the last six seasons including four in North America."

The Markham, Ontario native spent the 2022-23 season with AIK in the SDHL, which is the highest professional women's league in Sweden, where she posted a 1-11-0 record with a 4.52 GAA, an .877 save percentage and one shutout.

Fujimagari was eligible to be selected in Monday's inaugural Professional Women's Hockey League draft, but never got chosen, likely because she is pursuing an ECHL opportunity, but if it doesn't go as expected, she can always sign with one of the six teams as a free agent.

It'll be interesting to see how Kalamazoo utilizes her during the preseason and in training camp and how much of an opportunity she'll get to prove herself at the ECHL level. If she performs well, there's no doubt that there's a chance the Wings will offer her a contract for the 2023-24 season.