Aug. 1, 2005

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Central Collegiate Hockey Association today announced that Manon Rheaume has joined the league's staff as the Director of Sales and Marketing.

"Manon's sales and marketing experience, unique background in hockey and her passion for the sport are all attributes that will benefit the conference in our ongoing efforts to attract corporate partners and demonstrate to them the tremendous potential of college hockey," stated CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos.

Previously, she served as the Director of Marketing for POWERade Iceport following a stint with Mission Hockey as a Sales and Marketing Event Manager and Global Category Director for Women's Hockey.

While with Mission Hockey, she designed and developed the first-ever women's specific hockey products that have now been adopted by all major companies in the industry.

Rheaume became the first woman to try out for a NHL team, play in the NHL as a goaltender and sign a professional contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992. As a member of Team Canada, she won a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, as well as gold medals at the World Championships in 1992 and 1994.