In the late 20th century, one of the most relevant dates for women in hockey (and sport) came on September 23, 1992. Manon Rheaume, a 20-year-old from Lac Beaufort, Quebec, stood between the pipes in an exhibition game for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The opposing team that day was the St. Louis Blues. With a lineup that featured Brett Hull and Brendan Shanahan, the two could make even the most seasoned NHL goaltender nervous. The Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall hosted the game, and fans would witness hockey history as Rheaume allowed two goals in the exhibition game. The crowd would give her a standing ovation in a 6-4 loss. For trivia buffs, Jeff Brown scored the first goal on her in that game.
The early life of Rheaume was marked by making history and would define what was to come later. In 1984, she became the first girl to play at the Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament. As a 19-year-old in 1991, she became the first woman to compete in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, as she stood between the pipes for the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs.
Good hockey genes run in Rheaume’s family. Her brother Pascal played for the New Jersey De ...
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Article written by Mark Staffieri
Manon Rheaume and 20 Years of Making Hockey History
September 27th, 2012 by Mark Staffieri Leave a reply »
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