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Icehawks And First Woman Of Hockey Team Up

October 1, 2008 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - A new partnership between the Port Huron Icehawks and former professional hockey player Manon Rheaume, "The First Woman of Hockey," was announced today by the Icehawks, a member of the International Hockey League.

"Manon Rheaume is a symbol of courage and a role model for girls everywhere," said Port Huron Icehawks Vice President/Business Manager Dave Goetze. "We are thrilled that Manon will be working with the Icehawks during the 2008-2009 season to help us reach out to families and women, and to bring the sport of hockey to new audiences."

Rheaume's role with the Icehawks will include a series of appearances throughout the season, starting with participation in the team's training camp October 6 - October 9, and then in the Icehawks pre-season exhibition game on Friday, October 10th at McMorran Arena in Port Huron against the Flint Generals. Tickets for the game are just $5 and the first 500 fans will receive a free Manon Rheaume poster.

Rheaume was the first and only female hockey player to sign and play with a National Hockey League (NHL) team, the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992. Additionally, as a member of Team Canada, Rheaume helped lead her team to a Silver Medal in the 1998 Nagano Games. As Team Canada's goaltender, she won Gold Medals at the 1992 and 1994 World Hockey Championships. She currently competes with former NHL stars in charity games across the United States and Canada.

"I want to thank the Port Huron Icehawks, an organization that shares my vision for growing hockey's fan base while increasing participation among young women," said Rheaume, of Northville, Mich. "I am so grateful to the sport of hockey for allowing me to overcome much in my life. Through my experiences in professional hockey, I feel I'm uniquely qualified to inspire young women to overcome obstacles and disadvantages in their own lives."

Rheaume formed The Manon Rheaume Foundation in 2008 as a way to give back to the community and to the game of hockey. Rheaume's goal is to use her experience as the first female NHL hockey player to inspire young girls to reach for their dreams while overcoming obstacles in their lives. The foundation will provide scholarships to young women to assist them as they seek to fulfill their aspirations, hopes and dreams. To learn more about the Manon Rheaume Foundation please visit www.manonrheaumefoundation.org.

"I also remain a very competitive person, and look forward to the challenge of competing against the best players in hockey," added Rheaume. "I'm in the best shape of my life, and this opportunity with the Icehawks allows me to train at a high level of competition so that I can stay sharp on the ice for exhibition, charity and WNHL games."

"I hope hockey fans and families in Port Huron, Ontario and the greater Detroit area will come out to watch Manon play with the Icehawks," added Goetze. "If you've never had the chance to see Manon Rheaume play goalie, you are in for a treat!"

The Icehawks open the regular season with a Turner Cup Finals rematch versus the Fort Wayne Komets at home on Friday, October 17. Single game tickets and flex packages are on sale now at the Icehawks office, 325 Huron Avenue, Port Huron. For more information, please call the Icehawks office at 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.

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