Annelies Bergmann's been strong at the boys' U-18 AAA level and the U-18 women's worlds. She says it means everything to get a historic opportunity on April 7.
Annelies Bergmann is set to make history, as she’s been announced as the starting goaltender for an upcoming game with the NAHL’s Janesville Jets.
The 6-foot Bergmann, who is committed to playing NCAA hockey with Cornell next season, will become the first woman to play in a Tier I or Tier II junior hockey game in USA Hockey history.
“It feels incredible,” Bergmann told The Hockey News of the opportunity. “I have always said I wanted to play junior hockey, and to get this opportunity means everything. This feels as a culmination of my hard work and effort throughout my hockey career.”
Bergmann has won a silver and bronze medal backstopping Team USA at the women’s U-18 World Championship, posting a combined 1.77 GAA and .933 save percentage in eight games at the tournament.
“I’m going to approach this game like every other game, just play the way I play.” - Annelies Bergmann
Bergmann is not a stranger to the Jets organization, having advanced to main camp with the Jets this past fall. According to Janesville Jets president Bill McCoshen, it’s an opportunity for the organization to showcase one of the rising stars in American hockey.
“A core mission of the Jets is giving elite hockey players an opportunity to develop and advance to the highest level if they earn it,” said McCoshen. “Annelies Bergmann is a rising star in USA Hockey, and we believe she earned this unique opportunity. We also understand the inspiration this will give to female hockey players across the country.”
Bergmann has spent the last several seasons playing boys AAA hockey with Michigan’s Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, including this season at the U-18 level, where she posted a 16-9 record along with a 2.08 GAA and 0.945 save percentage, according to the Jets. As Jets coach and GM Joe Dibble said, Bergmann has earned the opportunity to play at this level.
“We were all very impressed with Annelies’ performance when she came here for main camp last year, and this is a direct result of the work she’s put in,” said Dibble. “She played through a tough goaltenders camp and showed great potential, and continued on to perform in our All-Star Game at camp against some high talent. Annelies has worked extremely hard to get to this point in her young career, and she’s absolutely earned this opportunity. We’re all greatly excited to see her suit up and skate wearing the Jets logo.”
While Janesville and Bergmann will want the win, there’s also more on the line in the game, representation. Janesville is offering $5 admission to any girl under 18 years old so that the next generation of women’s hockey players can see the historic moment.
“It means so much more knowing that little girls will be watching, and I hope they will be able to take inspiration from this,” said Bergmann. “I’m going to approach this game like every other game, just play the way I play.”
Bergmann joins an elite group of goaltenders playing junior hockey. In Canada, only four women have ever appeared in a CHL regular season game, including Manon Rheaume, Charline Labonte, Shannon Szabados and last season, Eve Gascon. In 2021-2022, Gascon played two games for the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques, registering a 1-0-1 record.
Bergmann is set to play for Janesville on April 7 when the Jets take on the Springfield Jr. Blues.