Mariah Fujimagari made history on October 16th with the Kalamazoo Wings, yet was released from her pro tryout with the club the following day.
It wasn't the fairy tale ending many were hoping for goaltender Mariah Fujimagari.
Despite a historic pre-season win this past Saturday with the Kalamazoo Wings, the 29-year-old Markham, Ontario native was released from her pro tryout with the club on Monday.
Fujimagari entered the pre-season clash with the Toledo Walleye in the 3rd period, earning 14 saves through until 41 seconds of overtime, when a Brad Morrision goal ended the game, sending the Wings Event Center into a frenzy.
She was the first woman to suit up for an ECHL game since Manon Rheaume in 1995.
Fujimagari became not just the first woman rostered during the preseason in franchise history, but also the first to claim a victory. Fujimagari earned the game’s third star for her efforts.
In 2022-23, Fujimagari suited up for 14 games in Sweden's SDHL with AIK where she had a 1-11-0 record, an .877 save percentage.
Prior to, she spent three seasons in the National Women’s Hockey League/Premier Hockey Foundation with the Buffalo Beauts and the Connecticut Whale. She recently went undrafted in the PWHL, though we hope her high-profile appearance will lead to strong opportunities moving forward.