She's regarded as one the greatest female hockey players of all time, and Hayley Wickenheiser continues to inspire thousands of young women as she prepares to take part in her fifth winter Olympic Games.
Wickenheiser’s first Olympic experience at the 1998 games in Nagano, Japan coincided with the introduction of Women’s ice hockey as an Olympic sport. A 19-year-old Wickenheiser and the rest of the Canadian team brought home a silver medal from Nagano following a loss to the U.S. in the finals.
The Canadian team would not be denied in the three subsequent Olympics. Gold medals were awarded to the Wickenheiser led squad at the Salt Lake City, Turin and Vancouver games.
Wickenheiser now has her sights set on the 2014 winter games in Sochi, Russia and a fourth gold medal. When she takes to the ice, her teammates will look to the 35-year-old Wickenheiser for leadership.
These days, the decorated Olympian is focused on her education and her current team, the University of Calgary Women’s Hockey Dinos.
Wickenheiser continues to wear her familiar number 22 while lacing up for the Dinos. When she puts on the jersey of the Dinos, the most recognized female hockey player in the world is just one of the girls.
For her teammates who grew up idolizing her, lining up next to Wickenheiser was intimidating.
“And let alone playing with her is another story,” says teammate Melissa Zubick. “She pushes everyone on and off the ice and she's definitely a role model in school. Her academics are amazing and everyone can look up to her.”
Wickenheiser, who is taking Kinesiology at the U of C in the hopes of becoming a doctor, says her teammates have a lot to offer her.
“I remember when I was the youngest player on the national team and now I'm one of the oldest,” says Wickenheiser. “It's funny how the roles sort of flip. I think, for sure even here on the Dinos, the girls are fairly young and as much as they look up to me on the hockey side, I probably look to them for a lot of help on the school side.”
When Wickenheiser joined the national team in 1994 at the age of 15, Danielle Goyette was a veteran. Now, Goyette is the Dinos head coach.
Goyette says Hayley’s attitude and love of the game motivates the younger players.
“If I try to correct something on her she's going to take a comment and work at it,” says Goyette. “She's never gonna say ‘Oh yeah? Whatever.’ She wants to get better and when you work with an athlete like that as a coach you can't ask for more.”
Wickenheiser was young she didn't even realize there was women's hockey. She joined a boys team in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan.
Her ability to compete against male hockey teams continued in to her adult life. Wickenheiser has played professional hockey with men in Finland and Sweden.
“It's just a way for me to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to take it to another level,” says Wickenheiser. “When I come back, I think I have so much more to give to the women's game.”
“Her inspiration to be the best in the world inspires everybody around her,” says Goyette. “Not just the athletes but the coaches too.”
For her young teammates who grew up idolizing Wickenheiser, playing next to her is a dream come true.
“When i was younger I had a puck signed from Hayley to Calaine,” says Calaine Inglis, a forward on the Dinos. “I think it says something about ‘going for your dreams’ and that was pretty inspiring.”
For the way she inspires young players and for all she's done to make Canadians proud, Hayley Wickenheiser is this week's Inspiring Albertan.
