Manon Rhéaume was the first (and only) woman to play in the NHL.
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Video Transcript
Did you know there was only one woman to play in the NHL?
Manon Rheaume is a former Canadian silver medalist goaltender, and she was the first woman to play in an exhibition game in any of the major North American pro sports leagues.
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In 1992, Rheaume signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL, appearing in a preseason exhibition game in 1992 and 1993.
During her debut, she faced nine shots and stopped seven, proving she belonged on the ice.
Her performance made her the first and only woman to play in an NHL league game.
She also played on the Canadian women’s national ice hockey team, winning gold medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championship in 1992 and 1994, and the silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Her classic game trading card were the first of a women’s hockey player ever produced.
Since 1992, over 1,400 cards of Rheaume have been made, the most of any women’s hockey player ever.
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She’s contributed to the design and development of the first ever women’s specific hockey skate and equipment with Mission Hockey, and now is an advisor and part of hockey operations for the LA Kings.