The PWHL announced Friday that Manon Rheaume will serve as general manager for Detroit’s expansion franchise, bringing her pioneering hockey career from the ice to the front office.
The 54-year-old former goaltender made history as the first woman to participate in an exhibition contest for any major North American professional sport. Most recently, she worked for four years in hockey operations with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. Her appointment also marks a return to familiar territory, as she previously spent 11 years developing talent with the Little Caesars youth hockey girls’ program in the Detroit area.
“She brings an unmatched resume, a championship mindset and a lifelong commitment to growing the women’s game,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations, who oversees the hiring process.
“Her experience at every level of hockey, combined with her leadership and vision, makes her the perfect person to lead PWHL Detroit into its inaugural season,” Hefford added.
The announcement follows Detroit’s designation as an expansion franchise just over a week ago. Since then, the league has welcomed Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario as additional new teams, with plans for one more expansion to reach 12 teams next season.
Women now hold seven of the nine general manager positions across the PWHL.
“I’m incredibly honored to join the PWHL and help build something special in Detroit,” Rheaume said. “The city has such a deep hockey tradition, and the passion for hockey here is truly special.”
Her immediate responsibilities include overseeing an expansion free-agent signing period tentatively set to start May 28, followed by the league draft scheduled for June 17 in Detroit.
The Beauport, Quebec native first gained international attention in the early 1990s when she signed with Trois-Rivieres in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. She made headlines in 1992 during a tryout with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, giving up two goals on nine shots during one period of a preseason matchup against St. Louis. She appeared in a second exhibition game the following year against Boston.
Rheaume’s competitive achievements include a silver medal for Canada at the 1998 Nagano Games, which featured the inaugural women’s Olympic hockey tournament. She also captured gold medals at the 1992 and 1994 world championships.
