By Chris Barrymore
Way back in 1992, while Drew Barrymore was still trying to get off drugs and get some decent film roles, there was a 20 year old French Canadian goalie taking the hockey world by storm. Eventually ascending through the ranks, she signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992.
Publicity stunt for a newly born franchise in a non-traditional hockey market, you say? No argument there.But it wouldn't be the first time some hot young 20-something has been used as a marketing ploy. The Lightning had to find some way for people to realize they existed, and this just might have been it.
Manon played in only two exhibition games for the Bolts, against the Blues and the Bruins, before moving on to some women's international competitions and some IHL teams for 5 years.
Unbeknownst to me, Manon also played for the Minnesota Whitecaps of the WWHL in 2009, helping that team to the Clarkson Cup Finals. Why did the local news not cover this? It is an outrage.
Anyway, these days she dabbles in pop culture outlets from time to time, and is also involved in youth hockey programs for girls via the creatively named Manon Rheaume Foundation.Oh, and she's still a fox.
