Born: August 12, 1978
Place of Birth: Shaunavon, Saskatchewan
Major Notes:
Haley Wickenheiser is one of Canada's greatest female hockey players.
She is also a keen softball player who has represented Canada in the Olympics in that sport.
In her younger years, Wickenheiser played a starring role for boys' hockey teams.
At age 15, she was accepted as a member of the Canadian Women's National Hockey Team.
Over the next three years, Haley Wickenheiser played in several national tournaments winning the Most Valuable Player award in at least two tournaments.
In 1998, women's hockey became an official sport of the Winter Olympics.
Canada finished second in the tournament and Wickenheiser was named to the all-star team.
Wickenheiser traveled to a number of cities during 2001 where she helped in the development of young female hockey players.
She was chosen to play in the next Winter Olympics in 2002, leading the team in scoring and was awarded the MVP as Canada won the gold medal.
Wickenheiser's hockey skills were at such a level that, in 2003, she became the first woman to play in a men's professional hockey league joining a team in Finland.
Over the years, Haley Wickenheiser led Canada to at least five gold medals and one silver medal in world championship play.
A book entitled Born to Play, written by Elizabeth Etue, was based on Wickenheiser's life in setting and achieving goals.
Haley Wickenheiser was honored by her hometown when, in 2006, they named their sportsplex Wickenheiser Place.
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