ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings sign goaltender Mariah Fujimagari to PTO

The Kalamazoo Wings, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, announced on Monday that they’ve signed rookie goaltender Mariah Fujimagari to a professional tryout agreement.

The 29-year-old goaltender played professionally in the SDHL for AIK in 2022-23.

“Mariah is an athletic goaltender that battles on every shot and reads the play well,” said Joel Martin, Kalamazoo’s Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach.

Before joining the K-Wings, the netminder spent four years at the University of Maine from 2013-17, and put forth a 7-9-2 record with a .898 career save percentage. Afterwards, Fujimagari played for SKP Bratislava in Slovakia for one season before joining the Worcester Blades (CWHL) in 2018-19. 

In 2019-20, Fijumagari suited up for the Buffalo Beauts (NWHL) before spending the next two seasons with the Connecticut Whale (NWHL/PHF). While with the Whale in 2021-22, the netminder made five appearances and posted a record of 5-0-0 with a 1.40 goals against average, a .938 save percentage, and two shutouts. 

“I couldn’t be happier to join the K-Wings,” Fujimagari said. “I’m going to make sure to set the tone from the start with a solid performance every day. I’m most excited to be a part of the Kalamazoo community and skate in front of the amazing fans.”

Fujimagari was selected as an NWHL All-Star in 2020, was nominated as a Denna Laing Award Finalist in 2022, and has served as a global ambassador for the EWHL, CWHL, SDHL, and the NWHL/PHF. She also served as an alternate captain with Maine in 2017, conveying the leadership aspects present within her game.

Kalamazoo is set to kick off their 2023-24 regular season on Saturday, Oct. 21 against the Toledo Walleye at 7:00 p.m. EST at the Wings Event Center.