Mariah Fujimagari becomes first woman to win ECHL game

Goaltender Mariah Fujimagari made history on Saturday evening, becoming the first woman to win a game in the ECHL.

Fujimagari achieved the feat during the Kalamazoo Wings’ 4-3 overtime win over the Toledo Walleye in the preseason. She replaced Jonathan Lemieux in the third period when the Wings had a 1-0 lead, facing 17 shots and stopping 14 of them, including all five shots that she faced in overtime. She finished the game with an .824 save percentage and getting credit for the historic win, and was also awarded with the third star of the game.

Fujimagari’s teammates on the Wings certainly recognized the achievement, as they immediately went to celebrate with her after Erik Bradford’s overtime winner.

Fujimagari was with the Wings on a professional tryout contract, one she had signed last month. Saturday’s game was the only preseason action that she got into with the team, and will be the only one she plays with the Wings preseason schedule coming to an end with that game. They start their season on October 21st with a three game homestand, including another matchup with the Walleye as their season opener.

Fujimagari is coming off a season in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League with AIK where she had a 1-11-0 record, an .877 save percentage and a shutout in 14 games. She also had an 0-1 record and an .861 save percentage in the relegation stage of AIK’s season, in which AIK managed to secure themselves a spot in the SDHL for 2023-24.

Fujimagari also spent three seasons in the National Women’s Hockey League/Premier Hockey Foundation with the Buffalo Beauts and the Connecticut Whale. She went undrafted in the Professional Women’s Hockey League and has yet to be signed by one of the six teams, so it appears she will remain with the Wings in the ECHL for the time being on a PTO.