Sports – Hockey Is for Her
NHL on NBC Sports presents Manon Rhéaume’s journey to becoming the NHL’s first female player, detailing her path from youth to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Late Show with David Letterman
Manon shares insights on her groundbreaking NHL debut and navigating a male-dominated sport on the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’
Tampa Bay Lightning – One Man’s Dream Sparked an Entire City
Manon honors Phil Esposito’s legacy and his efforts towards inclusivity in hockey in a tribute for his Tampa Bay Lightning Hall of Fame induction.Play
Woman Behind the Mask
Manon’s historic NHL journey as the first female player unfolds, emphasizing her challenges and significant impact on sports gender equality.
Detroit Red Wings – Women’s History Month
Celebrating Women’s History Month, the video spotlights Manon Rhéaume’s trailblazing journey, her current roles as a youth hockey coach and sports analyst, and her enduring influence on and off the ice.
NHL Network – Interview
In this interview, Manon reflects on her historic achievements with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992.
Bally Sports – 2022 All-Star Game
Take a peak at the behind-the-scenes moments from Manon’s 2022 All-Star game experience. Many saw Manon suit up and take breakaways in the All-Star competition, but few saw what went into this experience.
Manon Rhéaume Shatters the Gender Barrier | Arpon Basu (NHL.com) 2012
“On Sept. 23, 1992, Manon Rhéaume became the first woman to play in any of the major professional North American sports leagues when she appeared for a period in an exhibition game for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the St. Louis Blues.” [Article]
Rhéaume Thrilled To See More Opportunities For Girls Across Youth Hockey | Shawn P. Roarke (NHL.com) 2024
“Nobody is more qualified than Manon Rhéaume to explain the importance of having a girls division at the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament. Rhéaume the only woman to play an NHL game and one of Canada’s most decorated women’s hockey players, was the first girl to play in this tournament, the goalie for her Quebec-based boys team in 1981. She was the first woman to coach an all-girls team in the boys division here, and she was the first to coach in a Quebec final between two all-girls teams in the boys division.” [Article]
The Women Athletes who changed Sports History | (ESPN.com) 2020
“A scout sent videotape of Rhéaume to the Tampa Bay Lightning, she was invited to camp, and made her debut against the Blues in 1992. It was the first appearance by a woman in an NHL preseason game. ‘This changed my life basically and took my life in a different direction than I was planning to go,’ said Rhéaume, who won silver for Canada in the 1998 Winter Olympics.” [Article]
Manon Rhéaume and 20 Years of Hockey History | Mark Staffieri (Bleacher Report) 2012
“The early life of Rhéaume was marked by making history and would define what was to come later. In 1984, she became the first girl to play at the Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament. As a 19-year-old in 1991, she became the first woman to compete in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, as she stood between the pipes for the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs.” [Article]
Manon Rhéaume, NHL’s First Female Goalie, Continues to Inspire | Jeremy Fuchs (Sports Illustrated) 2016
“‘A lot of people ask me, [how] did you make it that far, when everyone was saying no?’ Rhéaume says on the phone from her home in Northville, Mich., a Detroit suburb. ‘A big part of it is my parents. My dad was not afraid to put me in a situation where he knew I’d be failing. He was never going to stop me from being in a situation where I may not make a team.’” [Article]
Almost 30 Years After Breaking the Ice, Manon Rhéaume Looks at What’s Next for Women’s Hockey | Aimee Crawford (Sports Illustrated) 2022
“A goaltender’s main job is to shut the door. Twenty-nine years ago, Manon Rhéaume swung one open wide for women across sports. When Rhéaume skated onto the ice for the Lightning during a preseason game on Sept. 23, 1992, she became the first—and still only—woman to play in the NHL. The native of Lac-Beauport, Quebec, made seven saves on nine shots against the Blues. But Rhéaume, who was just 20 years old at the time, had no idea what an impact that moment would make. She was too busy battling butterflies.” [Article]
Kings Add Manon Rhéaume as Hockey Operations and Prospect Advisor | LA Kings (NHL.com) 2022
“The LA Kings have hired Manon Rheaume as a Hockey Operations/Prospect Advisor to work alongside key executives in multiple areas with a focus on prospect development. She will report to Director of Player Personnel, Nelson Emerson. ‘I’m excited to join the Kings and look forward to working with our young players as they go through their individual development process,’ said Rheaume. ‘There are so many elements that factor into a player’s journey once they join an organization, and my focus will be on helping to provide them with the tools and guidance they need to ease that transition as the strive to reach their ultimate goal of playing in the NHL.’” [Article]
She Gets Her Shot-and Makes the Save | Associated Press (Los Angeles Times) 1992
“The most important thing to Manon Rhéaume is that she will never have to look back and wonder what might have been.The 20-year-old goaltender became the first woman to play in one of the four major pro sports leagues Wednesday night when she played the first period for the NHL expansion Tampa Bay Lightning in an exhibition game.” [Article]
Rhéaume Breaks the Ice: Female goaltender appears in minor league game | Associated Press (Los Angeles Times) 1992
“ATLANTA — Manon Rhéaume became the first woman to play in a regular-season professional hockey game when she appeared in the minor league Atlanta Knights’ contest against Salt Lake City on Sunday night.” [Article]
On Ice and Off, ‘A Lot of Pressure, a Lot of Action’ | Christopher Sullivan (Los Angeles Times) 1992
“‘The goaltender has a lot of pressure and a lot of action. It’s why I love hockey,’ she said in the French accent of her native Quebec. ‘And it’s like my life: I have a lot of pressure and I have a lot of action.’ The 20-year-old Rhéaume (pronounced ray-OME) earlier this month signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Knights, the top farm team of the National Hockey League’s expansion Tampa Bay Lightning.” [Article]
Manon Among Boys : Professional Hockey’s First Female Player Makes First Start Tonight for Minor League Team | Lisa Dillman (Los Angeles Times) 1993
“‘Manon Rhéaume makes her living trying to stop small, rock-hard disks of vulcanized rubber traveling at more than 100 m.p.h. She plays perhaps the most difficult position in all of sports–hockey goaltender–at the sport’s second-highest level.” [Article]
Made with Squarespace
“The First Woman of Hockey™
Explore the legacy of Manon Rhéaume as she extends her influence beyond hockey, sharing her journey to empower women across various domains.
Manon Rhéaume: Keynote Speaker on Resilience, Leadership, and Breaking Barriers
“Get Used To It”
Manon broke through one of the most exclusive barriers in professional sports as the first and only woman to play in the NHL. Her keynote, “Get Used To It”, offers more than inspiration – it provides a blueprint for overcoming obstacles and excelling in high-pressure environments. Manon shares powerful lessons on resilience, adaptability, and mental toughness, all drawn from her groundbreaking career in a male-dominated arena. Her story resonates with individuals and teams across industries, from corporate leadership and education to sports and personal development, who seek to foster innovation and thrive in today’s fast-changing world.
Manon’s insights apply to various real-world situations, including navigating uncertainty, breaking through barriers, and empowering teams or individuals to unlock their potential. Her strategies encourage audiences to turn setbacks into opportunities, push past limitations, and cultivate a mindset for long-term success.
Don’t miss the chance to inspire and energize your organization – book Manon Rhéaume today and equip your team with the tools to succeed in any environment.
Career Milestones
1984
She begins her groundbreaking journey as the first girl to play in the International Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament.
1992
Becomes the first and only woman to play in any of the four major sports (NHL) games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Also, she is the first woman to sign a professional hockey contract.
Continues to break barriers by being the first woman to play a professional regular season game for the Atlanta Knights in the International Hockey League (the Tampa Bay Lightning affiliate team).
She wins her first Gold Medal at the ‘92 World Championship with Team Canada, earning the title “best goaltender.”
1998
Plays a crucial role in Team Canada’s Silver Medal win at the Nagano Winter Olympics.
2002
Coaches the first girls’ team in the International Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament, reflecting her pioneering journey.
2022- Present
Serves as a prospect advisor and is part of hockey operations for the LA Kings.
1991
Completes tryouts and makes a historic appearance in a game for the Trois-Rivières Draveurs (QMJHL), becoming the first woman to play in the league.
1994
She wins her second Gold Medal at the ‘94 World Championship with Team Canada, once again earning the title “best goaltender.”
Becomes the first woman to play professional roller hockey for the New Jersey Rockin’ Rollers.
2000
Contributed to the design and development of the first-ever women’s specific hockey skate and equipment with Mission Hockey.
2015-Present
The Little Caesars Girls Program is elevated to national prominence, leading to numerous State and National Championships.
BC Sports – Hockey Is for Her
NHL on NBC Sports presents Manon Rhéaume’s journey to becoming the NHL’s first female player, detailing her path from youth to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Late Show with David Letterman
Manon shares insights on her groundbreaking NHL debut and navigating a male-dominated sport on the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’
Tampa Bay Lightning – One Man’s Dream Sparked an Entire City
Manon honors Phil Esposito’s legacy and his efforts towards inclusivity in hockey in a tribute for his Tampa Bay Lightning Hall of Fame induction.Play
Woman Behind the Mask
Manon’s historic NHL journey as the first female player unfolds, emphasizing her challenges and significant impact on sports gender equality.
Detroit Red Wings – Women’s History Month
Celebrating Women’s History Month, the video spotlights Manon Rhéaume’s trailblazing journey, her current roles as a youth hockey coach and sports analyst, and her enduring influence on and off the ice.
NHL Network – Interview
In this interview, Manon reflects on her historic achievements with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992.Play
Bally Sports – 2022 All-Star Game
Take a peak at the behind the scenes moments from Manon’s 2022 All-Star game experience. Many saw Manon suit up and take breakaways in the All-Star competition, but few saw what went into this experience.Play
Manon Rhéaume Shatters the Gender Barrier | Arpon Basu (NHL.com) 2012
“On Sept. 23, 1992, Manon Rhéaume became the first woman to play in any of the major professional North American sports leagues when she appeared for a period in an exhibition game for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the St. Louis Blues.” [Article]
Rhéaume Thrilled To See More Opportunities For Girls Across Youth Hockey | Shawn P. Roarke (NHL.com) 2024
“Nobody is more qualified than Manon Rhéaume to explain the importance of having a girls division at the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament. Rhéaume the only woman to play an NHL game and one of Canada’s most decorated women’s hockey players, was the first girl to play in this tournament, the goalie for her Quebec-based boys team in 1981. She was the first woman to coach an all-girls team in the boys division here, and she was the first to coach in a Quebec final between two all-girls teams in the boys division.” [Article]
The Women Athletes who changed Sports History | (ESPN.com) 2020
“A scout sent videotape of Rhéaume to the Tampa Bay Lightning, she was invited to camp, and made her debut against the Blues in 1992. It was the first appearance by a woman in an NHL preseason game. ‘This changed my life basically and took my life in a different direction than I was planning to go,’ said Rhéaume, who won silver for Canada in the 1998 Winter Olympics.”
Manon Rhéaume and 20 Years of Hockey History | Mark Staffieri (Bleacher Report) 2012
“The early life of Rhéaume was marked by making history and would define what was to come later. In 1984, she became the first girl to play at the Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament. As a 19-year-old in 1991, she became the first woman to compete in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, as she stood between the pipes for the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs.”
Manon Rhéaume, NHL’s First Female Goalie, Continues to Inspire | Jeremy Fuchs (Sports Illustrated) 2016
“‘A lot of people ask me, [how] did you make it that far, when everyone was saying no?’ Rhéaume says on the phone from her home in Northville, Mich., a Detroit suburb. ‘A big part of it is my parents. My dad was not afraid to put me in a situation where he knew I’d be failing. He was never going to stop me from being in a situation where I may not make a team.’”
Almost 30 Years After Breaking the Ice, Manon Rhéaume Looks at What’s Next for Women’s Hockey | Aimee Crawford (Sports Illustrated) 2022
“A goaltender’s main job is to shut the door. Twenty-nine years ago, Manon Rhéaume swung one open wide for women across sports. When Rhéaume skated onto the ice for the Lightning during a preseason game on Sept. 23, 1992, she became the first—and still only—woman to play in the NHL. The native of Lac-Beauport, Quebec, made seven saves on nine shots against the Blues. But Rhéaume, who was just 20 years old at the time, had no idea what an impact that moment would make. She was too busy battling butterflies.”
Kings Add Manon Rhéaume as Hockey Operations and Prospect Advisor | LA Kings (NHL.com) 2022
“The LA Kings have hired Manon Rheaume as a Hockey Operations/Prospect Advisor to work alongside key executives in multiple areas focusing on prospect development. She will report to the Director of Player Personnel, Nelson Emerson. ‘I’m excited to join the Kings and look forward to working with our young players as they develop,’ said Rheaume. ‘There are so many elements that factor into a player’s journey once they join an organization, and my focus will be on helping to provide them with the tools and guidance they need to ease that transition as they strive to reach their ultimate goal of playing in the NHL.’”
She Gets Her Shot-and Makes the Save | Associated Press (Los Angeles Times) 1992
“The most important thing to Manon Rhéaume is that she will never have to look back and wonder what might have been. The 20-year-old goaltender became the first woman to play in one of the four major pro sports leagues Wednesday night when she played the first period for the NHL expansion Tampa Bay Lightning in an exhibition game.”
Rhéaume Breaks the Ice: Female goaltender appears in minor league game | Associated Press (Los Angeles Times) 1992
“ATLANTA — Manon Rhéaume became the first woman to play in a regular-season professional hockey game when she appeared in the minor league Atlanta Knights’ contest against Salt Lake City on Sunday night.”
On Ice and Off, ‘A Lot of Pressure, a Lot of Action’ | Christopher Sullivan (Los Angeles Times) 1992
“‘The goaltender has a lot of pressure and a lot of action. It’s why I love hockey,’ she said in the French accent of her native Quebec. ‘And it’s like my life: I have a lot of pressure, and I have a lot of action.’ The 20-year-old Rhéaume (pronounced ray-OME) signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Knights, the top farm team of the National Hockey League’s expansion Tampa Bay Lightning.”
Manon Among Boys: Professional Hockey’s First Female Player Makes First Start Tonight for Minor League Team | Lisa Dillman (Los Angeles Times) 1993
“‘Manon Rhéaume makes her living trying to stop small, rock-hard disks of vulcanized rubber travelling at more than 100 m.p.h. She plays perhaps the most difficult position in all of sports–hockey goaltender–at the sport’s second-highest level.”
