Manon Rheaume, the pioneering woman who became the first and only female player to appear in an NHL pre‑season game, has been appointed general manager of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s expansion franchise in Detroit.
A milestone appointment
The announcement coincides with the league’s preparation for its inaugural 2026‑27 season, a campaign that will officially begin after the franchise was formally unveiled on May 6.
Rheaume’s hiring marks a significant step for the PWHL, which aims to expand its footprint and provide a professional platform for the world’s top women’s hockey talent.
A career built on excellence
Over four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, she contributed to hockey operations, helping shape player development and strategic initiatives for one of the NHL’s storied franchises.
Her international résumé includes gold medals at the women’s world championship in 1992 and 1994, as well as a silver medal from the 1998 Olympic Games, underscoring a career defined by elite performance.
In her new role she will assemble a dedicated hockey operations staff and oversee the roster‑building process ahead of the 2026 PWHL Draft scheduled for June 17, setting the foundation for the team’s debut season.