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29 years ago today, Manon Rhéaume became the First and Only Woman to Play an NHL Exhibition Game

Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X September 23, 2021
3 1 minute read

29 years ago today, Manon Rheaume became the first woman to play in any of the major North American professional sports leagues when she suited up during an exhibition game with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning faced off against the St. Louis Blues, where the 20-year old goalie played one period and allowed two goals on nine shots.

“Now, looking back, I realize how big of a deal it was,” Rheaume said to NHL.com in early 2019. “When I was young and got invited, it happened so fast and I didn’t realize really the impact I would have on people, on history, on everything when I went there. I just went because it was amazing to play at the highest level. Now, looking back, no other female has done that, and not only in hockey, but the four major sports.”

Before her debut in the NHL, the Quebec native was the first female goaltender to play for a boys’ team in the 1984 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. She was also the first woman to play in a men’s Major Junior hockey game when she was signed to the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs for the 1991-92 season.

Manon Rheaume, waiting for a faceoff, allows two goals during a preseason game in becoming the first woman to play in the NHL.

After her game with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992, Rheaume played in another preseason game in 1993 facing off against the Boston Bruins.

“Through the years, having so many people come up to me, telling me that I inspired their daughter or son, or someone saying, ‘I had your poster on my wall,’ that makes me realize my story impacted a lot of people in a positive way,” Rheaume told NHL.com.

1992 was a huge year for Rheaume, not just because of her historic game on September 23rd. She was chosen to Canada’s national women’s ice hockey team, where she won a gold medal and was named to the All-Star team (the same in 1994). Rheaume was signed by the Atlanta Knights in the International Hockey League which made it the first time a woman appeared in a regular-season professional game. She played for seven different teams in the IHL and played 24 games in total in her pro career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2eijZwQMMc

Igor Burdetskiy

Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine
I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!
Igor Burdetskiy
Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X September 23, 2021
3 1 minute read
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