Women in Hockey: When Manon Rheaume became the first woman to play an NHL game

Manon Rheaume, the first and only woman to ever play in an NHL game, never imagined she would make history. Growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, there were few options for girls to play hockey. Rheaume had to compete against the boys if she wanted to play at all, but she was determined to play.

After helping Canada win gold at the 1992 women’s world championships, she was invited to a training camp for the expansion of the Tampa Bay Lightning. She played one period of an exhibition game against St. Louis on September 23, 1992, becoming the first woman to suit up for an NHL game.

Today, Rheaume is a member of the Los Angeles Kings’ player development department. She joins a staff that also includes scout Blake Bolden, the first black woman to play in the now-defunct National Women’s Hockey League. NHL teams and leagues have realized that admitting women to their organizations adds knowledge, perspective, and experience that can invigorate the sport.

Rheaume said,

“All those women that played at a high level, even if they don’t make it to the NHL, they’re able to contribute to an NHL team in a different way with their ideas and their knowledge of the game.”

The NHL has been making strides to hire more women in meaningful roles. The Vancouver Canucks employ two female assistant general managers, Cammi Granato and Emilie Castonguay. Meghan Duggan, a standout U.S. Olympian, is the director of player development for the New Jersey Devils.

Kate Madigan is the assistant GM for the New Jersey Devils. Meghan Hunter is an assistant GM for the Chicago Blackhawks, who hired Kendall Coyne Schofield as their player development coach.

Hayley Wickenheiser, who has a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame and a medical degree, is the assistant GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alexandra Mandrycky, a data specialist, is the assistant GM of the Seattle Kraken.

These women have brought fresh perspectives to the sport and have shown that they can contribute to professional teams in a meaningful way. The inclusion of women in the league is not about being “woke,” but rather recognizing the value that women bring to the table.

As Rheaume put it, “It’s amazing to see. To me, I think there’s huge value.”

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Manon Rheaume's Trailblazing NHL Career

Manon Rheaume is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender who made history in the sport as the first woman to play in an NHL exhibition game. Born on February 24, 1972, in Lac Beauport, Quebec, Rheaume began playing hockey at an early age and excelled in the sport as a goaltender.

Rheaume's professional career began when she joined the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in 1989. She went on to play for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992, becoming the first woman to play in an NHL exhibition game. She also played for several other teams, including the Atlanta Knights, Knoxville Cherokees, and the Indianapolis Ice.

Apart from her professional career, Rheaume also played for the Canadian national team. They won silver at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, and gold at the IIHF World Championships in 1992 and 1994.

Despite her many accomplishments in the sport, Rheaume faced significant challenges, including discrimination and criticism from male players and fans. However, she remained committed to her sport and continued to inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams of playing hockey.

In her personal life, Rheaume is married to Gerry St. Cyr, a former professional hockey player. They have two sons together and reside in Florida, where Rheaume works as a hockey coach and ambassador for the sport. She also runs a foundation, the Manon Rheaume Foundation, which supports the development of girls' hockey and promotes gender equality in sports.