On Sept. 23, 1992, 20-year-old Manon Rheaume became the first woman to appear in a National Hockey League exhibition game.
Many dismissed it as a publicity stunt for the newly-formed Lightning (one television reporter asked Rheaume if she had broken a nail). And Rheaume drew more attention for her model looks (she declined to pose nude for Playboy) than for her playing ability.
But on that balmy September night inside the cramped Expo Hall, Rheaume proved she could play with the boys. Playing goal for the Lightning against the St. Louis Blues, Rheaume made five saves and allowed two goals, neither any goalie in the world would have stopped, in 20 minutes. A year later, she gave up three goals in one period of a preseason game.
She never played in the regular season, but did play men's hockey in the International Hockey League and a professional roller hockey league. She then moved on to women's hockey, leading the Canadian national team to various medals in international play.
These days, Rheaume still has a hand in hockey, coaching youth teams and working in promotions for an equipment company. Mostly, though, she has dedicated her life to her 5-year-old son, Dylan.
