Aesa Jingles Becomes Youngest Female Player To Appear In USPHL Competition

USPHL • #USPHLHistory • Aesa Jingles Becomes Youngest Female Player To Appear In USPHL Competition

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Sixteen-year-old Flint Icelanders goaltender follows historic debut with victory in her first USPHL Premier start

Flint Icelanders goaltender Aesa Jingles has become the youngest female player to appear in a United States Premier Hockey League junior game, according to available league records. She added another milestone Oct. 25, earning her first USPHL Premier victory in her first start.

Jingles stopped 15 of 16 shots in Flint’s 8-1 win, playing all 60 minutes after making her first two appearances in relief.

“Aesa did a great job coming in cold in her first two appearances, getting a feel for the speed,” said Flint Icelanders General Manager and Head Coach Jake Lainesse. “In her first start, she played lights out with a ton of poise. She stopped all but one, including multiple breakaways. We’re looking forward to having her back after the high school season.”

Jingles made her USPHL Premier debut against the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones on Oct. 16, 2026, stopping 14 of 18 shots in 16:16 of action. She returned to the net the following day, making 20 saves on 22 shots during 21:42 of playing time.

Born Feb. 22, 2010, Jingles was 16 years, seven months and 24 days old at the time of her debut.

Jingles follows two other trailblazing goaltenders in USPHL junior competition. Grace Campbell became the first female to play in the league when she appeared in 11 games for the Potomac Patriots in the USPHL Elite during the 2021-22 season. Born April 15, 2003, Campbell was 18 years old when she competed in the league. She later advanced to NCAA Division I hockey at Boston College.

Naomi Baechler became the first female to play in the USPHL Premier when she debuted for the Las Vegas Thunderbirds on Oct. 14, 2023. Born Jan. 1, 2006, Baechler was 17 years, nine months and 13 days old at the time. She stopped 21 of 25 shots and earned a victory in her historic debut before advancing to NCAA Division I hockey at Yale University.

At 16 years, seven months and 24 days old, Jingles was younger at the time of her debut than either previous player. Her appearances continue a proud history of female goaltenders competing and succeeding in USPHL junior hockey.

Through her first three appearances, the Midland, Mich., native has stopped 49 of 56 shots for an .875 save percentage and a 1-0-0 record.