Manon Rhéaume named PWHL Detroit GM

The Professional Women’s Hockey League named Manon Rhéaume general manager of PWHL Detroit on Friday, giving the expansion club its top hockey executive a month before the 2026 draft. The league said Rhéaume’s duties begin immediately as Detroit prepares to enter the PWHL for the 2026-27 season. The appointment comes nine days after the league announced Detroit as an expansion market, with home games set for Little Caesars Arena. It also comes ahead of league events in the city on June 16 and June 17. ### Who is Manon Rhéaume, and why is this hire notable? Manon Rhéaume is best known as the first woman to play in an NHL exhibition game, appearing in net for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992. The PWHL, in announcing her hire, called her “one of the most influential figures in women’s hockey history.” Rhéaume’s playing career also included a silver medal with Canada at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and a gold medal at the 1992 women’s world championship, according to the league’s release. Her background spans playing, coaching and development work in the sport. ### What exactly did the league say about her new job? (thepwhl.com) The PWHL said on May 15 that Rhéaume was appointed general manager of PWHL Detroit and that she would start immediately. The release did not describe a separate transition period, signaling that Detroit’s front-office buildout is already underway before the draft and expansion process accelerates. (thepwhl.com) Detroit is one of the league’s new franchises for 2026-27. The PWHL’s game center and team pages now list Detroit among the league’s clubs, alongside Hamilton and Las Vegas, reflecting the expanded field for next season. ### What is on Rhéaume’s immediate to-do list in Detroit? June 17 is the next key date for Rhéaume because the 2026 PWHL Draft will be held at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. (thepwhl.com) The league said the draft is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET and will follow the PWHL Awards ceremony on June 16. (thepwhl.com) The 2026 draft eligibility list includes a record number of declared players, the league said on May 12. Vancouver holds the first overall pick, according to the PWHL’s draft announcement. ### Why is Detroit central to the league’s next phase? The PWHL announced on May 6 that Detroit would debut in the 2026-27 season and play home games at Little Caesars Arena. (thepwhl.com) The league also said Detroit-based Ally would serve as the inaugural partner and official bank of PWHL Detroit. (thepwhl.com) Fox Theatre will host the draft on June 17, while Detroit will also stage the June 16 awards ceremony. The league’s expansion announcement tied those events directly to Detroit’s launch as a new market. ### What does the league’s timeline look like from here? May 19 through May 27 is when the PWHL plans to announce awards finalists, according to its event details for Detroit. (thepwhl.com) Those announcements will lead into the awards ceremony on June 16 and the draft on June 17. The 2026-27 season is the next competitive milestone for Rhéaume and PWHL Detroit. Little Caesars Arena is set to be the team’s home, and the draft at Fox Theatre is the next public step in assembling the expansion roster. (thepwhl.com 1) (thepwhl.com 2)