Kings tab Rheaume as advisor in historic move
Manon Rheaume, the former goaltender who made history by becoming the first woman to play in an NHL exhibition game, was named as an advisor to the Kings' player personnel department Thursday.
“I'm excited to join the Kings and look forward to working with our young players as they go through their individual development process,” Rheaume said. “There are so many elements that factor into a player's journey once they join an organization, and my focus will be on helping to provide them with the tools and guidance they need to ease that transition as they strive to reach their ultimate goal of playing in the NHL.”
Rheaume will continue to be based in Michigan, from which she will report directly to Nelson Emerson, the Kings' director of player personnel.
“Manon is an excellent communicator who brings a unique perspective and will play an important role in our hockey operations department,” Emerson said.
Rheaume, 50, backstopped Canada to a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics, the first Olympics to feature women's ice hockey as an event. She also won gold at the World Women's Championships in 1992 and 1994.
Her career transcended any gender designations when in 1992, she tried out for the fledgling Tampa Bay Lightning, competing in one preseason game that year and another in 1993. She continued her career in three different otherwise all-male minor pro leagues, making 24 appearances for seven teams between 1992 and 1997.
BLACKHAWKS BEGIN REBUILD ON DRAFT DAY >> The long-anticipated dismantling of the Chicago Blackhawks' roster begun Thursday with the team trading high-scoring Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators and young center Kirby Dach to the Montreal Canadiens.
In completing a third trade to acquire goalie Petr Mrazek from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blackhawks went from having nothing in the first round at the NHL draft in Montreal to making three picks through the evening.
Chicago acquired the No. 7 (defenseman Kevin Korchinksi) and 39th picks in this year's draft and a thirdrounder in 2024 for DeBrincat, who is likely a year away from a big payday. The Blackhawks acquired the No. 13 pick (center Frank Nazar) by trading Dach to Montreal.
In adding Mrazek, the Blackhawks acquired the No. 25 selection (defenseman Sam Rinzel) for helping the Maple Leafs free up salary cap space. Mrazek has two years remaining on a threeyear $11.4 million.
With a lot of losses looming next season and beyond, the attention now turns to the future of longtime Blackhawks
stars and three-time Stanley Cup winners Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, whose matching contracts expire after next season.
HOST CANADIENS HAVE BUSY DRAFT DAY >> Montreal pulled of a trade just before acquiring Dach from Chicago. They dealt defenseman Alexander Romanov and a fourthround pick to the New York Islanders for the No. 13 overall pick, which the Canadiens sent to Chicago for Dach.
AVALANCHE GET GOALIE GEORGIEV >> The Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche acquired goaltender Alexandar Georgiev from the New York Rangers for three draft picks.
Colorado gave up thirdand fifth-round picks this year and a third-rounder next year for Georgiev. The move seems to spell the end of starting goalie Darcy Kuemper's time with the Avalanche.
PENGUINS RE-SIGN LETANG >> The Pittsburgh Penguins signed veteran defenseman Kris Letang to a $36.6 million, six-year contract that carries a $6.1 million annual salary cap hit.