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BRUCE KIDD AWARD
for Athlete Leadership
Hayley Wickenheiser - Ice Hockey and Softball
Nominated by the Canadian Hockey Association
Hayley Wickenheiser is known worldwide as one of the great female hockey players. Possessor of a lethal slap shot and a dominant factor in Canada's last four world championship victories, the national team's assistant captain is a two-time world championship all-star.
The versatile Wickenheiser, who has twice been invited to the Philadelphia Flyers Rookie Training Camp, earned a spot in the outfield on Canada's 2000 Olympic softball team, becoming only the second Canadian woman ever to compete at both the Olympic Games and the Olympic Winter Games.
Undaunted by the prospect of going from hockey superstar to backup utility ball player, she wanted the softball team spot because "it's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life." Even harder than playing on boys' hockey teams, which she did until she was 12, learning early to handle adversity as a marked player in a male environment. Moving from her hometown of Shaunavon, Sask., to Calgary allowed her to play on a girls' team, and the establishment of a national team program in 1990 gave her a goal in the sport she loves.
The talented 22-year-old leads by example. Her confidence, on-ice intensity, ability to deal with pressure, solid work ethic, and willingness to mingle with fans and sign autographs make her a terrific role model for girls wherever her sport is played. Dedicated to promoting women's hockey, she conducts hockey camps and clinics and makes numerous public appearances across Canada. She is a member of the Canadian Hockey Association's Women's High Performance Advisory Committee. She developed "Wickenheiser One-on-One," a program that assists women and girls in playing hockey and reflects her determination to promote the sport across Canada and the world.
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