Who was the first female player to compete in a men's professional ice hockey league?

The first female player to compete in a men's professional ice hockey league was Manon Rheaume. She made history in 1992 when she played for the Tampa Bay Lightning in an exhibition game during the NHL preseason, becoming the first woman to participate in a game with an NHL team. Rheaume's inclusion in this game was groundbreaking and highlighted the potential for female players in a sport historically dominated by men. Her participation not only paved the way for future female athletes but also challenged traditional gender norms in hockey and sports in general.