Hayley Wickenheiser retires

author: brady lang | sports writer

Wickenheiser became a national hockey symbol in her time in the game/Wikimedia Commons

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Not many players in hockey history can say that they have advanced the sport as much as Hayley Wickenheiser.

It’s hard to imagine a women’s hockey team from Canada on which the great #22 didn’t lace up the skates I guess that’s something that we will all have to get used to, as Wickenheiser called it a career last Thursday, putting an end to the most storied career in women’s hockey history.

Growing up in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, Wickenheiser has constantly said that she did not consider herself a “women’s hockey player,” but a hockey player. Her drive and determination has advanced the game to a level that some did not believe was achievable. Becoming the first ever woman to lace up the skates in a men’s professional game was just part of Wickenheiser’s career.

You name it, Wickenheiser has done it. Four gold medals, seven world championships, nearly recording two points per game in Olympic competition, playing in the 2000 summer Olympics in softball, the list is endless when it comes to the Shaunavon native.

But it wasn’t on the ice that people speak about when talking about Wickenheiser. The way that Wickenheiser was able to grow the game off the ice, and become a role model for young women across the country and throughout the world is what many longtime fans will remember.

Wickenheiser was a trailblazer for the game of hockey, and her ability to grow the sport is something that will never be matched when it comes to the game.

From all of Canada, thank you Hayley, and enjoy your retirement!