4-Time Olympic Champ Hayley Wickenheiser Named to Hockey Hall of Fame
It is no surprise that in her first year of eligibility, trailblazer Hayley Wickenheiser was chosen to headline the 2019 Hockey Hall of Fame class.
Hayley Wickenheiser, who has continuously risen the bar in women’s hockey and her own self-excellence was an easy pick for this year’s class of inductees.
The 40-year-old, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist exited a medical school exam on Tuesday only to find out that she was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame by chairman Lanny McDonald.
2,049 Likes, 155 Comments - Hayley Wickenheiser (@hchickwick) on Instagram: "Just stepped out of a med school course to the news. A huge honour and dream come true for a little..."
According to NHL.com, Wickenheiser was unavailable for the initial conference call with the other inductees due to her exam but many others spoke highly on her behalf.
“I think when you win seven world championships as one of the key players and captain and win four Olympic gold medals and have a storied career both on the women’s side and play on the men’s side in Finland, that should tell you in itself where she was looked upon and revered by the rest of the hockey world,” McDonald said of Wickenheiser.
“We pushed each other on and off the ice and formed one of the really good lines on Team Canada with Danielle Goyette. I always knew my role playing with them, and I always respected how consistent of a player she was.” Said Cassie Campbell-Pascal, another Hockey Hall of Famer.
Wickenheiser headed a list of six inductees, also including Guy Carbonneau, Sergei Zubov, Vaclav Nedomansky, Jim Rutherford and Jerry York.
What Wickenheiser is Up To Now
The Shaunavon, Saskatoon native was recently hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs organization as an assistant director of player development.
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“She was at the top of her game, representing the country in women’s hockey. For her to have the ability to relate those messages is really valuable to our guys. She brings so many different positive things to our group. We’re so excited to have her with us.” Said the Maple Leafs’ senior director of player development Scott Pellerin.
Wickenheiser is currently based out of Calgary, working mostly with the Leafs’ western prospects, but also travels to Toronto a couple times a month to work with both the Leafs and AHL’s Marlies.
"I feel pretty confident in my abilities to be in this role and that I belong and can handle myself with anyone” Wickenheiser said on a conference call.
According to Sportsnet, Wickenheiser, who will continue studying medicine at the University of Calgary, said it was important for her to get back into a sport where she’s helped blaze a trail for women and girls.
Click here to view Wickenheiser’s page on Scoolu and to book a session with her today!