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Manon Rheaume, Anne Schleper Bookend Tampa Bay Lightning Efforts for Women in Hockey

By Angelo Resciniti

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When the Tampa Bay Lightning invited U. S. Olympic hockey star Anne Schleper to practice with the team in October, it didn’t seem historic or even unusual.

Photo Credit: Angelo Resciniti

Women practicing ice hockey with the guys happens all the time nowadays. Heck, my own daughter even practiced with the Armwood High School hockey club one memorable time at the Brandon Ice Sports Forum, back in 2005, earning kudos and ice taps from her male teammates when she slid a puck through the goaltender’s five-hole.

But in 1992, when the brand new Lightning franchise invited Canadian Olympic star Manon Rheaume to practice — and play — with the team, it marked a turning point in professional hockey.

Rheaume had already broken the amateur gender barrier by playing a junior game for a men’s team. Then, on September 23, 1992, “The First Lady of Hockey” became the first woman to suit up for a National Hockey League team when she started in goal for the Lightning against the St. Louis Blues in a preseason match at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Rheaume played one period in her NHL debut, facing nine shots and making seven saves. Future Hall-of-Famer Brendan Shanahan scored one of the two goals given up by Manon.

Lightning founder Phil Esposito was criticized — playfully, usually — for using the Manon Rheaume showcase as something of a publicity stunt, just as he had done at the first-ever Lightning public appearance by having Rangers veteran Ron Duguay and super-model spouse Kim Alexis show up to provide some star power. But there was no questioning Manon’s bona fides for playing at a high level.

Photo Credit: Angelo Resciniti

She had already led the Canadian women’s national team to a gold medal in the 1992 IIHF World Championship series with a 3-0 record, two shutouts, and a microscopic 0.67 GAA.  She repeated that gold in 1994 (3-0 record, 1.72 GAA). And in 1998 she played in goal for Team Canada in a silver medal performance at the Nagano Olympics.

And there is also no questioning the impact Manon Rheaume has had on the status of women in ice hockey, opening the door for a generation of young women to feel like they belong on the ice, whether alongside of men or playing on women’s teams. Opening the door for my daughter. For Anne Schleper.

The 5’7″ 132-pound Rheaume — tiny in comparison with current Lightning star Ben Bishop, who stats out at 6’7″ and 215 pounds — never again appeared in an NHL game. But, in addition to her great success with Team Canada, she played for the Atlanta Knights (then a Lightning minor league affiliate) in 1992-93, Knoxville and Nashville (ECHL) in 1993-94, Las Vegas (IHL) and Tallahassee (ECHL) in 1994-95, and Reno (WCHL) in 1996-97.

She also played some professional roller hockey in New Jersey and California. Aside from occasional returns to competitive play, Manon has also done some coaching and some marketing in continuing to act as an ambassador for women in hockey.

In 2008 she established the Manon Rheaume Foundation, flying under the motto,  “Inspiring Young Women to Win at the Game of Life.” The foundation awards scholarships to high school females who intend to pursue academics and athletics in college.

Hockey success runs in her family, too. Brother Pascal Rheaume knocked around the NHL from 1996-2006, playing for New Jersey, St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, and the New York Rangers. And her own son, Dylan St. Cyr, born in 1999, is an up-and-coming star goaltender (what else?). Manon Rheaume, born in 1972, playing with the Lightning in 1992, is now a hockey mom at 42 years old.

Feb 12, 2014; Sochi, RUSSIA; USA defenseman Anne Schleper (15) carries the puck as Canada forward Brianne Jenner (19) defends in a women’s ice hockey preliminary round game during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Shayba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Anne Schleper, 24, also earned the attention of Lightning brass with her play in the Olympics, helping Team USA to a silver medal (behind Canada’s gold) in the 2014 games in Sochi.

She also led her Minnesota Golden Gophers team to win the NCAA national title in 2012, sandwiching that feat with gold medals in the 2011 and 2013 IIHA World Championships with Team USA.

Schleper, a defenseman who wears #15, scored one goal in the Olympics. She was one of three 2014 Olympians to work out with NHL teams this fall, joining USA teammate Hilary Knight (Anaheim Ducks) and Canadian goalie Shannon Szabados (Edmonton Oilers), who already plays regularly in a predominantly men’s league.

All are part of the legacy handed down by Manon Rheaume.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper,  in speaking about Schleper’s time with the Bolts, told a press briefing, “And if her spending time with us helps 10 girls decide to take up hockey it’s a wonderful thing for the sport. I have twin daughters and if they look at this and are like, ‘You know what? I’d love to play hockey,’ then it’s paying off for us.”

Manon Rheaume opened the door of opportunity for female hockey players. Anne Schleper held it open for a new generation of stick-handling women.

But some gender barriers do remain.

When will a woman play in a regular season NHL game?

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