The former University of Maine goaltender, Mariah Fujimagari '17 made history last weekend as the first female goaltender since 1995 to win a game in the ECHL. The 4-3, overtime-win came in the preseason matchup between the Kalamazoo Wings and Toledo Walleye where Fujimagari '17 made 14 saves for the Wings, the Vancouver Canucks' ECHL affiliate.

Fujimagari '17 signed a PTO (Professional Tryout) agreement last month with the Kalamazoo Wings and saw her first minutes in a game as she replaced Jonathan Lemieux in the third period of the Wings' final preseason tilt. Her 14 saves, including five in overtime, secured the win when Erik Bradford scored the overtime-winning goal. Additionally, Fujimagari '17 earned the third star of the game for her efforts. 

Regular season play begins this upcoming weekend for the Kalamazoo Wings as they will face the Toledo Walleye again on Oct. 21. The team will secure its roster prior to the first regular season game. 

Fujimagari is in camp with three other goalies competing for one of three spots on the team's roster. If Fujimagari '17 makes the cut, she would be the third woman in ECHL history to sign with a team and the first since 1995. Female goaltenders, Erin Whitten and Manon Rheaume, both played in the ECHL during the 1993-94 season.

Last season, Fujimagari '17 played professionally in Sweden for AIK in Sweden's SDHL. She also played professionally in North America with the Worcester Blades in the CWHL, and the PHF's Buffalo Beauts and Connecticut Whale.

During her college career, Fujimagari saw 34 games for the University of Maine Black Bears between the 2013-2017 seasons. 

-UMaine-