Kayla Vespa

Last updated
Kayla Vespa
Born (1997-04-01) April 1, 1997 (age 27)
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 2 in (157 cm)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
PWHL team New York Sirens
Playing career 2020–present

Kayla Vespa (born April 1, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is signed as a reserve player for the New York Sirens of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She has previously played in the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) and college ice hockey for St. Lawrence University.

Contents

Playing career

College

After a St. Lawrence University coach scouted 17-year-old Vespa playing for the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres, she was offered a full scholarship on the spot to play for the Saints. [1] Vespa played for St. Lawrence from 2016 to 2020, making 135 appearances. [2]

Professional

Vespa began her professional career playing with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) in 2020. She played in multiple showcases, commuting to be able to play with a team in Toronto. [3] [4]

When the PWHPA boycott ended and the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) was created, Vespa was drafted by New York 76th overall, in the thirteenth round of the inaugural PWHL draft. She signed a one-year contract with the team and scored in the first PWHL game against Toronto, a 4–0 victory. [5] [6] For the 2024–25 season, the Sirens signed Vespa to a Reserve Player contract. [7]

Personal life

Vespa began playing hockey at five years old, often playing on boys teams. She played soccer and ran track for St. Jean de Brébeuf high school in Hamilton. She wore number 10, which she continues to wear as a hockey player. She graduated with honors in biochemistry at St. Lawrence University. She worked for the City of Hamilton full-time as a member of the parks and roads department, driving a snowplow on the night shift. [1] [4] Vespa has also been involved with the Stoney Creek Sabres Girls Hockey Association, coaching the U13A girls. [3]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2013–14 Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres Prov. WHL 51012—————
2014–15Stoney Creek Jr. SabresProv. WHL372013334106280
2015–16Stoney Creek Jr. SabresProv. WHL39161329470330
2016–17 St. Lawrence University ECAC 36412168—————
2017–18 St. Lawrence UniversityECAC3435810—————
2018–19 St. Lawrence UniversityECAC29119116—————
2019–20 St. Lawrence UniversityECAC361320338—————
2020–21 Team Sonnet PWHPA 40110—————
2021–22 Team SonnetPWHPA71340—————
2022–23 Team AdidasPWHPA1956118—————
2023–24 New York PWHL 232138—————
PWHL totals232138—————

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References

  1. 1 2 Wells, Jon (16 January 2024). "When Kayla Vespa was a kid, women's pro hockey was just a dream. Now she's scoring goals with PWHL New York". The Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  2. ↑ "Kayla Vespa". St. Lawrence Athletics. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  3. 1 2 Staffieri, Mark (2022-05-05). "Kayla Vespa proud to be part of PWHPA | Women's Hockey Life". Women's Hockey Life. Archived from the original on 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  4. 1 2 Peesker, Saira (2024-01-11). "Former Hamilton snowplow driver Kayla Vespa among the women making history with PWHL". CBC. Archived from the original on 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  5. ↑ "New York blanks Toronto, wins PWHL's first game". ESPN. 2024-01-02. Archived from the original on 2024-09-25. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  6. ↑ Kennedy, Ian (2023-11-07). "New York Signs Canadian National Team Member Jessie Eldridge". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  7. ↑ "NEW YORK SIRENS ANNOUNCE 2024-25 ROSTER". The PWHL. 2024-11-29. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
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