During a trip to Junior’s restaurant in early February, Nana Fujimoto sat against a wall decorated with Brooklyn Dodgers memorabilia, savoring a slice of cheesecake while discussing her journey from Sapporo, Japan, to the National Women’s Hockey League.
Like Duke Snider and Jackie Robinson featured in the photos above her, local fans have become enamored with Fujimoto, whose 5-foot-4 frame minds the net for the New York Riveters. Her No. 33 jersey is abundantly spotted at rinks throughout the league, where Japanese television crews often follow her.
For Fujimoto, the popularity is an afterthought. She came to the United States only to prove herself against the world’s top hockey players.