CNN 20 Remembers Manon Rheaume, the First Female to Make the NHL
TOM STINAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Manon Rheaume may be a novice when it comes to a photo shoot, but the 20-year-old is a model of persistence with a firm grip on her future. Rheaume's pro hockey odyssey has taken her from a Tampa Bay tryout to the Lightning's minor league affiliate in Atlanta.</s>MANON RHEAUME, ATLANTA KNIGHTS: I never think that I am going to play here or make a tryout in NHL when I was young because I never see a woman there -- and every year, so when I play, I tried to go higher but, I don't want to think too far.</s>STINAR: When Rheaume first arrived in Atlanta, there were those who thought she would be a distraction. But no such controversy. The Knights have given her the royal treatment.</s>RHEAUME: Two goaltenders are with me -- help me when I do something wrong, they said to me what I have to do and they said to me, it's better to do this and they helped me.</s>STINAR (on camera): They say speed and reflexes count more in goaltending than size or strength. Rheaume does have quickness and agility, but her main weakness remains stamina. Carrying 20 pounds of equipment on a 135-pound frame make it all the more difficult for her to remain cat quick in the crease. (voice-over): Playing between the pipes is old hat for Rheaume, who began skating at the age of three. What's new is dealing with the intense media scrutiny, but she's handling it well. After all, Rheaume has opened the door for other women shooting for hockey's stratosphere. And that's a goal worth tending.