‘First Woman of Hockey’ Manon Rheaume sets son on NHL path

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There is no shortage of top NHL draft prospects that can say that they have a relative that made it all the way to the big show.

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Usually, it’s a father, brother or uncle.

But in the case of Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, he has a rather unique family member whose path he followed: His mom’s.

Rheaume-Mullen is the son of — you guessed it — Manon Rheaume, the only woman to ever suit up for an NHL game.

And on Monday, she helped set Rheaume-Mullen on his own path toward the NHL by sending him off to play NCAA hockey for the Michigan Wolverines.

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The 17-year-old defenceman who was born in Northville, Mich., is eligible for the 2025 NHL draft and has a decent shot at being taken in the first round. According to Elite Prospects, Rheaume-Mullen is ranked No. 26 by Daily Faceoff.

He also has an uncle to lean on for advice on making it in the NHL. Pascal Rheaume played 318 games in the NHL over his 10 year career, notching 39 goals and 91 points for seven different teams. He also won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003.

Rheaume-Mullen is the second child of the women’s hockey pioneer, with her first son, Dylan St. Cyr, following more closely to her own path by tending the twine professionally.

St. Cyr, 25, played the 2023-24 season with Anglet in France’s Ligue Magnus after failing to make it professionally in North America.

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As for Rheaume, she was hired by the Los Angeles Kings in 2022 as a hockey operations and prospect adviser.

She made history by trying out for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992 and suited up for a pre-season game against the St. Louis Blues. She played one period and allowed two goals on nine shots.

The following year, she played in another pre-season game, this time against the Boston Bruins.

She would go on to play for several men’s teams in the IHL, ECHL and other leagues over the remainder of her professional career,

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According to former ESPN analyst Darren Rovell, a ticket to Rheaume’s NHL debut recently sold for $577 on eBay.

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