Her dedication made her not only an award-winning player, but also an inspiring role
model for other girls.
After becoming a star in women’s amateur hockey and international tournaments, Hayley
Wickenheiser turned her eyes toward the biggest prize yet - the professional leagues,
where only men played.
She made her historic breakthrough in professional leagues in Europe. Again, she had to
out-work the men around her to be fast enough and strong enough to hold her own.
Playing there in 2003, Wickenheiser added another remarkable credit to her career -
becoming the first woman to score a professional hockey goal.
Back home in Canada, she is a national hero - captain of the Olympic and national
hockey teams, top goal scorer, most valuable player, and regular member of all-star
squads.
But it’s not just her accomplishments that make her a star - it’s also her attitude. Sports
Illustrated magazine has named Hayley Wickenheiser one of the “Twenty-Five Toughest
Athletes Ever.” She’s living proof of how hard work and determination, combined with
talent, can make you the best in the world.
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