Jessica Digirolamo Bio
Jessica DiGirolamo (born February 13, 1999) is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). A left-shooting blueliner, she previously played for the Boston Fleet of the PWHL after a standout collegiate career at Syracuse University. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 163 pounds, she is recognized for her offensive skill from the back end and her leadership in defensive zone play.
DiGirolamo built her reputation as one of the top college defencemen in the College Hockey America (CHA) conference, winning back-to-back CHA Defenseman of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023. She now continues her professional career in the PWHL with the Montreal Victoire, where she signed a two-year contract in June 2025.
Early Life and Background
Jessica DiGirolamo was born on February 13, 1999, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. She is the daughter of Salvatore DiGirolamo and Mary Kolic, and she has a brother named Matthew. Growing up in the Greater Toronto Area, she was introduced to hockey at a young age and developed her game through local minor hockey programs.
She played three seasons of youth hockey for the Oakville Jr. Hornets of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League, serving as assistant captain during her senior year with the program. DiGirolamo attended St. Marcellinus Secondary School, where she was a four-sport athlete, competing in basketball, ice hockey, softball, and track and field. Her multi-sport background helped build the speed, coordination, and competitive edge that would later define her hockey career.
Path to Hockey
DiGirolamo’s progression through the Oakville Jr. Hornets gave her early exposure to high-level women’s hockey and prepared her for the college ranks. Her leadership role as assistant captain during her final youth season signaled her readiness for the next competitive step. By the time she graduated from St. Marcellinus, she had drawn attention from collegiate programs across the region.
That attention led her to Syracuse University, where she joined the Syracuse Orange women’s ice hockey program and began her collegiate career during the 2017–18 season. Her early success with the Orange quickly established her as one of the conference’s most promising young defencemen and set the foundation for a record-setting career in orange.
Jessica Digirolamo Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
DiGirolamo began her collegiate career at Syracuse during the 2017–18 season, recording two goals and 13 assists in 36 games and leading all Orange rookies with 15 points. Her strong freshman performance earned her a spot on the CHA All-Rookie Team and signaled her arrival as a top collegiate defenceman.
In her sophomore season of 2018–19, she tallied seven goals and 11 assists in 37 games, leading all Syracuse defencemen in goals and ranking second on the team in points, blocked shots, and power-play goals. She played a key role in Syracuse’s first-ever conference championship, recording two assists in the 2019 CHA tournament final against Robert Morris to help the program reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in its history. Her contributions earned her a place on the CHA All-Tournament Team.
Syracuse Breakthrough (2019–2023)
During the 2019–20 junior season, DiGirolamo recorded eight goals and 15 assists in 36 games while leading the team with 71 blocked shots. The following year, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, she produced ten goals and ten assists in 22 games and notched her first career hat-trick on February 12, 2021, against Lindenwood. She led the Orange in goals, tied for the conference lead in defenseman scoring with 14 points, and was named CHA Defenseman of the Year for the first time.
As a graduate student in 2021–22, she added six goals and 13 assists in 32 games and helped Syracuse capture its second CHA championship with an assist on the overtime game-winning goal against Mercyhurst. She was named CHA Defenseman of the Year for the second consecutive season, earned four CHA Defenseman of the Month honors, and was selected to the All-CHA First Team. She left Syracuse as the program’s all-time leader among defencemen in goals (33), assists (62), and points (95).
Montreal Victoire Era (2025–Present)
After two seasons with the Boston Fleet, DiGirolamo signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Victoire on June 19, 2025. Her move to Montreal marked the beginning of a new chapter in her professional career as she joined one of the PWHL’s most closely followed franchises.
DiGirolamo brings her veteran poise, defensive reliability, and offensive upside from the blue line to a Victoire roster looking to build on its standing in the league. Her transition from Boston to Montreal gives her an opportunity to expand her role and contribute to a contending team. The two-year deal runs through the 2026–27 PWHL season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although a defenceman rather than a forward, DiGirolamo plays a mobile, puck-moving style that emphasizes strong skating, smart positioning, and an active offensive contribution from the blue line. Her ability to log heavy minutes, block shots, and quarterback the power play made her one of the most complete defencemen in the CHA conference during her college years. Her left shot and poise under pressure allow her to make clean first passes and join the rush when the opportunity arises.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among DiGirolamo’s signature moments is her first career hat-trick, scored on February 12, 2021, against Lindenwood, and her back-to-back CHA Defenseman of the Year awards in 2022 and 2023. She was also a key contributor in two CHA championship runs for Syracuse, including the program’s first-ever conference title in 2019 and a second title in 2022. She was selected 34th overall by PWHL Boston in the 2023 PWHL Draft, marking the start of her professional career.
Jessica Digirolamo Career Wins
Jessica DiGirolamo’s competitive résumé features multiple conference championships, individual awards, and statistical records built across her junior, collegiate, and professional careers. Her trophy case highlights both team success and personal recognition as one of the top defencemen of her college generation.
Syracuse Highlights
DiGirolamo helped Syracuse win CHA tournament championships in 2019 and 2022, appearing on the CHA All-Tournament Team in both seasons. She was named CHA Defenseman of the Year in 2022 and again in 2023, earned four CHA Defenseman of the Month awards in a single season, and was a multi-time All-CHA First Team selection. She finished her Syracuse career as the program’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and points by a defenceman.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her collegiate accolades, DiGirolamo has continued her professional career in the PWHL, appearing in 24 games for the Boston Fleet during the 2023–24 season and 30 games during the 2024–25 season. Her consistent presence on the blue line at the professional level reflects the steady development she showed throughout her youth and college careers with the Oakville Jr. Hornets and the Syracuse Orange.
Jessica Digirolamo Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Jessica DiGirolamo was raised in Mississauga, Ontario, by her father, Salvatore DiGirolamo, and her mother, Mary Kolic. She also has a brother, Matthew, who has been part of her support system throughout her hockey journey. Her family’s Ontario roots helped shape her early connection to hockey and the broader Canadian sports culture.
Personal Life
DiGirolamo continues to pursue her professional hockey career in Canada and the United States, currently competing in the PWHL with the Montreal Victoire. She is active on social media, where fans can follow her career through her public accounts. Beyond the rink, she remains closely connected to her family, who have been a steady presence throughout her rise through the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 PWHL season represents a fresh start for DiGirolamo following her June 19, 2025, signing with the Montreal Victoire. After recording one goal and four assists in 30 games during the 2024–25 campaign with the Boston Fleet, she arrived in Montreal with momentum and a clear role on the blue line.
Her transition to the Victoire places her on a competitive roster aiming to climb the PWHL standings, and her two-year contract gives her stability to grow into a larger role with the franchise. Her track record as a reliable two-way defenceman with power-play upside should make her a valuable contributor to Montreal’s defensive corps.
As the 2025 season unfolds, DiGirolamo’s combination of collegiate pedigree, professional experience, and leadership qualities positions her as a player to watch in the Victoire’s defensive rotation. Her continued development will be a key storyline as Montreal pushes for a strong finish and a run at the Walter Cup.