LA Kings adds Canadian Olympic athlete Manon Rhéaume to front office staff

The Los Angeles Kings have hired former star goalkeeper Manon Leome as a front office position, driving the recent trend of landing women in the NHL team’s attention.

Kings said in a Thursday release that Leome will join the team as a hockey operations advisor focused on the development of prospects.

She reports to Kings Director of Players, Nelson Emerson.

Michigan-based Rhéaume will also be involved in “designated missions within the hockey operations department,” the team said.

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Rhéaume became the first woman to play NHL games in 1992 and made history when she entered Tampa Bay Lightning in a pre-season contest with St. Louis Blues.

She won the silver medal as a Canadian goalkeeper at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. This is her first feature on a female hockey tournament. She also helped Canada win the gold medal at the 1992 and 1994 World Women’s Hockey Championships.

“We are delighted to be part of the Kings and look forward to the young players going through their individual development process,” Rhéaume said in a statement.

“When a player joins an organization, there are so many factors that affect the player’s journey. My focus is needed to facilitate the transition to achieve the ultimate goal of the player playing. To provide tools and guidance. NHL. “

The NHL has seen several women hired in prominent positions in the club over the past month as general managers of landing assistants for Kate Madigan (New Jersey), Hayley Wickenheiser (Toronto), and Megan Hunter (Chicago). increase.

Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken recently nominated Jessica Campbell, a former member of the Canadian national team, as an assistant coach for the American Hockey League affiliate.