Hockey trailblazer Manon Rhéaume named general manager of PWHL Detroit

Former goaltender Manon Rheaume gives instructions to a player while behind the bench coaching the Little Caesars Wednesday, November 2, 2016 in Detroit. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

TORONTO — The Professional Women’s Hockey League named trailblazer Manon Rhéaume as general manager of its expansion team in Detroit in an announcement Friday.

The goaltender made history as the frist woman to sign a professional contract and appear in an NHL game when she inked a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightn ing in 1992.

She appeared in an exhibition game with the Lightning that year and another in 1993.

Rhéaume also helped Canada win two world championship gold medals and a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics.

The 54-year-old from Beauport, Que., spent the past four NHL seasons as a hockey operations and prospect adviser for the Los Angeles Kings.

The PWHL recently expanded to 11 teams with new franchises in Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton and could add another before the start of its fourth season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2026.