Manon Rheaume New GM of Detroit PWHL Team

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Manon Rheaume, PWHL

The new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) expansion team in Detroit has picked one of the pioneers in women’s hockey to serve as the team’s first general manager.

Manon Rheaume accepted the Detroit job after spending the last four seasons working in the hockey operations office for the Los Angeles Kings organization.

“Manon is a pioneer whose impact on the game extends far beyond the ice,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. “She brings an unmatched hockey resume, a championship mindset. (She) has a lifelong commitment to growing the women’s game. Her experience at every level of hockey, combined with her leadership and vision, makes her the perfect person to lead PWHL Detroit.”

Detroit will join the league in 2026-27, along with the new teams in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario. Manon’s team will also play in Little Caesars Arena.

Played in NHL Preseason Games

Rheaume, 54 is best known as the first woman to sign an NHL contract to play a preseason game for the Tampa Bay Lightning. She played one period in goal for the Lightning against the St. Lous Blues in 1992. She gave up two goals on nine shots. Rheaume also appeared in another preseason game against the Boston Bruins in 1993.

After those NHL tryouts, she played 24 men’s minor league games. She posted a combined 5-0-1 record in the ECHL in 1993-94. She split her time playing with the Knoxville Cherokees and the Nashville Knights.

Rheaume also owns a gold medal earned with Canada at the World Championships. She also owns a silver medal from playing with Canada at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan.