Manon Rhéaume Named First GM of PWHL Detroit Expansion Team
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has appointed hockey pioneer Manon Rhéaume as the first general manager of its new Detroit expansion franchise. Announced on May 15, 2026, this historic hiring leverages Rhéaume’s extensive experience, including her tenure with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and her status as the first woman to play in an NHL preseason game. She will lead roster construction for the team’s inaugural 2026-27 season, starting with the upcoming expansion draft. This move underscores the league’s growth and Detroit’s commitment to women’s professional hockey.
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Former NHL Goalie Manon Rheaume Named GM of PWHL Detroit Expansion Franchise
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has officially appointed former Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Manon Rheaume as the general manager for its new expansion franchise in Detroit. This historic hiring places one of women's hockey's most influential figures in charge of building the team from the ground up. Rheaume, who remains the only woman to have played in an NHL game during preseason exhibitions in the early 1990s, brings a distinguished resume that includes two world championships and an Olympic silver medal with the Canadian national team. PWHL executive vice president Jayna Hefford praised Rheaume as a pioneer with a championship mindset and a lifelong commitment to growing the women's game. Rheaume's tenure begins immediately, with the league's expansion player dispersal process scheduled to commence on May 28, 2026. This will be followed by the 2026 PWHL Draft on June 17, which will be held at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. The appointment marks a significant step in Rheaume's return to professional hockey and underscores the league's focus on experienced leadership for its expanding teams.
yahoo sportsManon Rheaume Named First GM of Detroit PWHL Expansion Team
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has appointed Manon Rheaume as the first general manager of its new expansion team in Detroit. Rheaume, a pioneering figure in women's hockey and the first woman to play in an NHL preseason game, joins the league after four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings organization. PWHL Executive Vice President Jayna Hefford praised Rheaume’s unmatched resume and commitment to growing the women's game. The Detroit team is scheduled to begin play in the 2026-27 season alongside new franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with home games at Little Caesars Arena. Rheaume, who also holds Olympic and World Championship medals with Canada, expressed honor in joining the league and shaping the sport's future in Detroit. Her immediate responsibilities include hiring a coaching staff and preparing for the upcoming PWHL Draft, set for June 17 at Detroit’s Fox Theater. This appointment marks a significant milestone for the league as it expands into key North American markets.
yahoo sportsTrailblazing Goaltender Manon Rhéaume Named GM of PWHL Detroit
Manon Rhéaume, the historic first woman to sign a professional hockey contract and a Canadian Olympic silver medalist, has been appointed as the general manager of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) new expansion team in Detroit. The announcement was made by the league shortly after Detroit was officially introduced as an expansion franchise. Rhéaume, 54, brings extensive experience from her four seasons in hockey operations with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and eleven years as the girls' division director for the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club in the Detroit area. PWHL executive vice-president Jayna Hefford praised Rhéaume as a pioneer with an unmatched resume and a commitment to growing women's hockey. Rhéaume expressed honor in joining the league and building a team in a city with deep hockey traditions. Her immediate tasks include constructing the hockey operations department and preparing for the expansion roster build, with the 2026 PWHL draft scheduled for June 17 in Detroit. This appointment marks a significant step for the league, which now totals 11 teams with additional expansions in Las Vegas and Hamilton pending general manager selections.
Ottawa CitizenManon Rheaume Hired as First GM of PWHL's Detroit Expansion Team
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has announced the hiring of Manon Rheaume as the general manager for its new expansion team in Detroit. This appointment marks a significant milestone, as Rheaume, a Canadian Olympian and trailblazing goaltender, becomes the first woman to hold this role for the franchise. Rheaume, who made history as the first woman to appear in a North American major sports exhibition game with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992, brings extensive experience from her four-year tenure in the Los Angeles Kings' hockey operations department. Her hiring also represents a homecoming, given her eleven years developing youth girls' hockey programs in Detroit. PWHL executive Jayna Hefford praised Rheaume's unmatched resume and commitment to growing women's hockey. As one of nine current GMs in the league, seven of whom are women, Rheaume will lead the team into its inaugural season. Her immediate responsibilities include preparing for the expansion free-agent signing process starting May 28 and the upcoming league draft in Detroit on June 17. The PWHL continues to expand, recently adding franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with plans to reach twelve teams next season.
yahoo sportsPWHL Detroit Names Manon Rheaume as First General Manager
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team in Detroit has appointed Manon Rheaume as its first general manager. This historic hiring was announced on May 15, 2026, shortly after the franchise was formally introduced at Little Caesars Arena. Rheaume brings extensive experience to the role, having spent the previous four seasons in hockey operations with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and eleven years with the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club. She is widely recognized as a pioneer in the sport, notably becoming the first woman to sign a professional hockey contract and play in an NHL preseason game in 1992. Her international playing career includes two gold medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championship and a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics for Canada. PWHL executive Jayna Hefford praised Rheaume’s unmatched resume and commitment to growing women's hockey. Rheaume expressed honor in joining the league and stated her immediate focus will be preparing for the upcoming PWHL Draft scheduled for June 17 at the Fox Theatre, aiming to build a team that reflects Detroit's deep hockey tradition.
yahoo sportsManon Rheaume Named First General Manager of Detroit PWHL Team
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has appointed Manon Rheaume as the first general manager of its new Detroit franchise. The announcement was made on May 15, 2026, shortly after the league revealed Detroit as its ninth expansion team. Rheaume, a historic figure in hockey, gained fame in 1992 as the first woman to try out for an NHL team and play in an exhibition game for the Tampa Bay Lightning. She is also an Olympic silver medalist from the 1998 Nagano Games. PWHL Executive Vice President Jayna Hefford highlighted Rheaume's unmatched resume and commitment to growing women's hockey. Rheaume brings recent experience from four seasons in Hockey Operations with the Los Angeles Kings and an 11-year tenure with the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club. Her immediate priority is building a support staff before the expansion draft on June 17. Rheaume expressed honor in joining the league, citing Detroit's deep hockey tradition and her personal ties to Michigan, where both her sons played college hockey. This appointment marks a significant milestone for the expanding women's professional league.
yahoo sportsManon Rheaume Named First General Manager of Detroit PWHL Team
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has appointed Manon Rheaume as the first general manager of its new Detroit franchise. The announcement was made on May 15, 2026, shortly after the league revealed Detroit as its ninth expansion team. Rheaume, a former Olympic silver medalist and historic figure who became the first woman to play in an NHL exhibition game in 1992, brings extensive experience from her tenure in Hockey Operations with the Los Angeles Kings and the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club. PWHL Executive Vice President Jayna Hefford praised Rheaume as a pioneer with a championship mindset and a deep commitment to growing women's hockey. Rheaume expressed honor in joining the league, citing Detroit's rich hockey tradition and her personal ties to Michigan, where both her sons played college hockey. Her immediate priority is assembling a support staff before the expansion draft on June 17. This appointment marks a significant milestone for the PWHL as it continues to expand its footprint in North America, leveraging Rheaume's legendary status to build a competitive team in its inaugural season.
yahoo sportsTrailblazer Manon Rheaume Named GM of PWHL's Detroit Expansion Team
Manon Rheaume, the historic first and only woman to play in a National Hockey League pre-season game, has been appointed as the general manager of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) new Detroit expansion team. The announcement was made on May 15, 2026, shortly after the team was formally introduced on May 6. Rheaume, a former goaltender and Olympic silver medalist with Canada in 1998, brings extensive experience from her four seasons in hockey operations with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. In her new role, she will lead the franchise into its inaugural 2026–27 season. Her immediate responsibilities include assembling a hockey operations staff and overseeing the roster-building process, which will be highlighted by the upcoming 2026 PWHL Draft scheduled for June 17. Rheaume’s distinguished playing career also includes winning gold medals at the 1992 and 1994 women’s world championships. This appointment marks a significant leadership milestone for the growing women's professional hockey league and underscores Detroit's commitment to establishing a competitive presence in the sport.
Latest NewsWomen’s Hockey Trailblazer Manon Rhéaume Named GM of PWHL Detroit
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has appointed Manon Rhéaume as the general manager for its new expansion franchise in Detroit. Rhéaume, a 54-year-old former Canadian national team goaltender, is a historic figure in hockey, known as the only woman to have played in an NHL preseason game and a two-time world champion. This role marks her first position in women's professional hockey management, following four seasons in hockey operations with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and over a decade mentoring girls' hockey in Detroit. PWHL executive Jayna Hefford praised Rhéaume's unmatched resume and leadership vision. The Detroit team is scheduled to begin play in the 2026-27 season at Little Caesars Arena. Rhéaume will be responsible for assembling the inaugural roster through the league's expansion processes and the upcoming 2026 PWHL Draft. The announcement coincides with the league's broader expansion plans, which also include new teams in Las Vegas and Hamilton. Rhéaume expressed honor in joining the league and excitement about building a team that reflects Detroit's deep hockey tradition.
yahoo sportsManon Rheaume Appointed General Manager of PWHL Detroit Expansion Team
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has officially appointed hockey legend Manon Rheaume as the general manager for its new Detroit expansion team. This strategic hire comes as the league prepares for significant growth, having recently announced plans to expand into Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton, Ontario, for the 2026-27 season, with a potential twelfth team in San Jose. Rheaume, a pioneering figure in hockey history, made headlines in 1992 as the first woman to compete in an NHL exhibition game and has since secured two world championships and an Olympic silver medal with Canada. In her new role, she aims to build a competitive roster that honors Detroit's rich hockey tradition. PWHL executives praised Rheaume for her unmatched resume and leadership qualities, citing her as the ideal candidate to lead the franchise into its inaugural season. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the continued professionalization and expansion of women's ice hockey in North America.
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