Jets to start female goaltender in game on April 7th
Goaltender Annelies Bergmann will become the first ever female to play in an NAHL regular season game when she take to the ice on April 7th.
The Janesville Jets, proud members of the North American Hockey League, have announced they will start Oakland Grizzlies female 18U goaltender Annelies Bergmann against the Springfield Jr. Blues on Friday April 7th at the Janesville Ice Arena. Puck drop is 7:05pm.
Bergmann currently plays for the Oakland Grizzlies 18U boys’ team where she posted a 16-9 record and a goals against average of 2.08 this season. Her save percentage was 94.49%. Bergmann also represented Team USA at the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championships in 2023 (Bronze medal) and 2022 (Silver medal). She posted .934% and .932% save percentages in the Women’s World Championships.
Bergmann participated in the Jets Main Camp last summer and made it to the all-star game where she earned an affiliate tag with the Jets. She also caught the eye of Head Coach/GM Joe Dibble and Jets President Bill McCoshen with her performance.
“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. Annelies Bergmann is a rising star in USA Hockey, and we believe she earned this unique opportunity,” said Jets President Bill McCoshen. "We also understand the inspiration this will give to female hockey players across the county.”
“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 Jets Head Coach and GM Joe 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.”
The Janesville Jets will become the first USA Hockey Tier I or II organization to play a female player in a regular season or playoff game.
