Manon Rheaume

My hero is Manon Rheaume. For those of you who haven’t heard of her, she is the first woman to ever play an NHL game. Manon was born on February 24, 1972 in Lac Beauport, Québec, Canada. She learned to skate at age 3 and started to play hockey at 5. Since there were few opportunities for female goalies, Manon was forced to play with boys. At 11, Manon became the first female to play in the International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament in Québec, Canada. When Manon turned 18 she finally got to play with a girl’s team from Québec City and at 19 she made history again by being the first woman to play for a men’s major team from Québec called the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs. Eventually, Manon joined the Canadian Women’s National team and led them to two victories in 1992 and 1994. She was also voted MVP of both tournaments. Manon wasn’t satisfied. She still hadn’t fulfilled her lifelong dream of playing in the NHL, but on September 23, 1992 Manon’s dream came true. The Tampa Bay Lightening had signed her as a free agent and needed her for a pre-season game against the St. Louis Blues. She stopped 7 of 9 shots at the end of the first period, and had a memorable experience. In 1996 Manon played for the Sacramento River Rats (Roller Hockey International). With the River Rats she defeated a male goalie, which was another first.

Manon continued her hockey career and in 1998 Manon was picked as the goalie for the first Canadian Woman’s Olympic Team. The team won a silver medal.

Manon now is happily married with her husband Gerry and has a son named Dylan.

Manon is my hero because she is a great role model for young girls who want to take hockey to a higher level. She is probably one of the greatest female hockey players ever.

Teams Manon Has Played On:

1991-1992 Trois-Rivières (QMJHL)

1992 Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), played one exhibition game.

1992-93 Atlanta Knights (IHL)

1993 Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), played one exhibition game.

1993-1994 Knoxville Cherokees (ECHL), played four games.

1993-1994 Nashville (ECHL), played four games.

1994 Las Vegas Thunder (IHL), played two games.

1994 Las Vegas Aces

Played one game with Feldkirch.

1994 Tallahassee Tiger Sharks (ECHL)

1995 New Jersey Rock-n-Rollers (RHI)

1996 Ottawa Loggers (RHI)

1996 Sacramento River Rats (RHI)

1996-1997 Reno Renegades (WCHL)

1998 Canadina Women’s Olympic Hockey Team