Hayley Wickenheiser is regarded as one of the best female hockey players in the world and has been part of the Women鈥檚 National Team since age 15. As a decorated Olympian, she has led her team to four gold and one silver medal as well as being named the tournaments鈥� most valuable player in both 2002 and 2006. For the 2014 Sochi Olympics Hayley was selected to be the flag bearer for the Canadian Olympic team in the Opening Ceremonies and was also elected to the International Olympic Committee鈥檚 (IOC) Athletes Commission.
Off the ice, Hayley鈥檚 achievements include: Sports Illustrated number 20 of 25 Toughest Athletes in the World, a two-time finalist for the Women鈥檚 Sports Foundation Team Athlete of The Year, twice named among the Globe and Mail鈥檚 鈥淧ower 50鈥� influencers in sport, and named among QMI Agency鈥檚 top 10 鈥淕reatest Female Athletes in the History of Sports.鈥� In 2011, Hayley was appointed to the Order of Canada "for her achievements as an athlete and for her contributions to the growth of women's hockey.鈥�, and was recently inducted to Canada鈥檚 Walk of Fame.
Wickenheiser鈥檚 passion for sport is matched by her desire to give back to the community in her work with organizations such as JumpStart, KidSport, Project North, Right to Play, Ovarian Cancer Canada and many others. Hayley was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan and is a proud mom to her son Noah. She is currently working on her Masters, running a study that is researching the connection between physical activity and the neurology of autistic youth.