Kayla Vespa

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

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. Vespa played for St. Lawrence from 2016 to 2020, making 135 appearances.

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.

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. For the 2024–25 season, the Sirens signed Vespa to a reserve player contract. On June 20, 2025, she signed a one-year standard player contract with the Sirens.

On June 21, 2026, Vespa signed a two-year standard player agreement with PWHL Hamilton.

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. Vespa has also been involved with the Stoney Creek Sabres Girls Hockey Association, coaching the U13A girls.

Career statistics Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2013–14 Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres Prov. WHL 5 1 0 1 2 — — — — — 2014–15 Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres Prov. WHL 37 20 13 33 4 10 6 2 8 0 2015–16 Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres Prov. WHL 39 16 13 29 4 7 0 3 3 02016–17St. Lawrence UniversityECAC 36 4 12 16 8 — — — — — 2017–18 St. Lawrence University ECAC 34 3 5 8 10 — — — — — 2018–19 St. Lawrence University ECAC 29 1 19 11 6 — — — — — 2019–20 St. Lawrence University ECAC 36 13 20 33 8 — — — — — 2020–21 Team Sonnet PWHPA 4 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 2021–22 Team Sonnet PWHPA 7 1 3 4 0 — — — — — 2022–23 Team Adidas PWHPA 19 5 6 11 8 — — — — — 2023–24 PWHL New York PWHL 23 2 1 3 4 — — — — — 2024–25 New York Sirens PWHL 10 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2025–26 New York Sirens PWHL 30 0 2 2 6 — — — — — PWHL totals 63 2 3 5 10 — — — — —