Manon Rhéaume, pioneering goalie in women’s hockey, named 1st GM of PWHL Detroit

Legendary Canadian goaltender Manon Rhéaume will be the first general manager of the PWHL’s expansion team in Detroit.

Rhéaume made history in 1992 when she became the first woman to sign a professional hockey contract and play in an NHL pre-season game with the Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s a feat no one else has accomplished since then.

She represented the Canadian women’s national team at the first Olympics to feature women’s hockey in 1998 and won two world championship gold medals.

“Manon is a pioneer whose impact on the game extends far beyond the ice,” Jayna Hefford, Rhéaume’s former teammate and the PWHL’s executive vice president of hockey operations, said in a statement.

“She brings an unmatched hockey resumé, a championship mindset, and a lifelong commitment to growing the women’s game. Her experience at every level of hockey, combined with her leadership and vision, makes her the perfect person to lead PWHL Detroit into its inaugural season.”

Detroit is one of three expansion teams announced so far by the PWHL. Teams in Hamilton and Las Vegas will also begin play next season, bringing the three-year-old league to 11 teams.

Rhéaume spent the past four seasons working with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings in hockey operations. She also spent 11 years with the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club in the Detroit area, serving as the girls’ division director.

Now, she’ll get to build a professional team in a league that didn’t exist when Rhéaume was looking for a place to play at a high level more than 30 years ago.

“I’m incredibly honoured and excited to join the PWHL and help build something special in Detroit,” Rhéaume said in a statement. “This city has such a deep hockey tradition, and the passion for hockey here is truly special. The growth of women’s hockey has been incredible to watch, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help shape the future of the sport alongside the PWHL.”

Why did the PWHL expand into Hamilton and Las Vegas?

Rhéaume will be responsible for building PWHL Detroit’s first roster from scratch, a process that will begin as soon as the playoffs end.

The league also announced the first general manager for PWHL Las Vegas on Friday, bringing in Dominique DiDia, a veteran sports executive from CAA Sports.

DiDia launched the women’s hockey department at CAA Sports and served as co-head of that division. She also spent nine seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, where she worked her way up to the role of director of marketing and content publicity, all while coaching and serving as a board member for the LA Lions Girls Hockey Club.

Before that, the Los Angeles native played for the Cal Selects Girls Hockey Club and later served as captain at Trinity College.

“Dominique brings a unique combination of experience as a player, hockey executive, and advocate for the women’s game,” Hefford said. “She understands the evolving landscape of women’s hockey and has a strong vision for building a team and culture that reflects both the ambition of the PWHL and the energy of the Las Vegas market.”