The Buffalo Beauts announced Tuesday morning that the team has acquired its first goaltender of the offseason. Former University of Maine, SKP Bratislava, and Worcester Blades netminder Mariah Fujimagari will join the Beauts for the 2019-20 season.
SIGNING NEWS: Goaltender @mariahfuji27 has signed with the @buffalobeauts! ✍
📝 https://t.co/nH3s4iNckZ pic.twitter.com/XKeCKyVK5d
— NWHL (@NWHL) June 18, 2019
Fujimagari’s most recent action was with Worcester, where she played 16 games for the Blades. It was a statistically poor performance for Fujimagari, but women’s hockey fans know the long-suffering plight of the Blades’ goalies since the formation of the NWHL.
Her best performances came from her European experience, where Fujimagari posted an incredible 0.55 goals against average and .967 save percentage in the Slovak league.
Fujimagari was complimentary of general manager Mandy Cronin, and is excited to get started. “It has been a reassuring process with the exceptional management, led by GM Mandy Cronin. The conversations surrounding team culture and aspirations for the organization align with my vision, goals and core values of relentlessness, hard work, and respect.”
Cronin was equally complimentary of her new signing. “The drive, dedication and experience that Mariah brings is indicative of the culture we are building in Buffalo.
Fujimagari is the 24th player to sign in the NWHL this season.
There are still free agent camps on the horizon, which should provide for another group of signings in the coming weeks.