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Hayley Wickenheiser on her unmatched career, and life after hockey - Sportsnet.ca
Hayley Wickenheiser on her unmatched career, and life after hockey - Sportsnet.ca
What will you miss most? The game. I'll miss the game. I'll miss going to the rink, practice.. Even practice? Yeah, I'll miss practicing, I'll miss training, I'll miss playing. I'll miss being in that competitive environment. Of course I'll miss all the people and my teammates that came along with that.
An all around great interview by Kristina Rutherford to wrap up Hayley Wickenheiser's career. I'm a a little sad at the bit where she says it'll be a while before she's back on the ice for even recreational hockey.
This was my favourite bit though
KR: Unfair question for you here: What’s the highlight of your career? You can only pick one.
HW: Holy crap, the highlight of my career. Ah… you know what? I have many. I have Salt Lake, Vancouver, playing in Canada. Probably playing in Canada, winning gold and carrying a flag at the Opening Ceremony [in Sochi] would be my non-hockey highlight.KR: That was more than one.
HW: I know. Let’s just say winning a gold medal in Canada, in Vancouver.




Amazing player, amazing woman, amazing person. She really is the last of the "old guard" to retire, but her influence will forever be part of women's hockey all over the world. Anybody who loves this woman should definitely be checking out twitter for all of the tribute pictures, videos and messages coming from the hockey community.
I know @Keeper must be very sad - now two of his Golden Trio have retired!
I just read the article and there were many parts I enjoyed. I loved that she pointed out that she'll miss her American "rivals" just as much as her Canadian teammates. Without the USA-CAN rivalry, a big element in those international match-ups would have been missing. Also - she made an interesting comment about the future of women's professional hockey: She's convinced that a sustainable league that pays female players can only be achieved when the NHL steps in. Very interesting!
Yes on her thoughts on the NHL stepping in. I absolutely agree. There is so much more the NHL can do. I have heard that they are not going to move on it while their are two leagues. On that note, have heard rumblings that the three leagues may be involved in meetings very soon to see if there is something that can be done. I can't remember where I heard this, but if it is true, it could be very big for women's hockey.
I think what is sad is that they retired to get on with "real" life. Hefford decided it was probably time to settle down and pursue a family. After the Olympics in Sochi I had a chance to talk to her about coming back. She just said, "Well....". Then I told her I thought she was still capable of playing and be among the best. She said, "Oh yeah, I know that, but sometimes it's just time to move on". I guess it was just me who was just sad to lose a hero, she just wanted to live a real life.
And Wick is planning to go to medical school. Maybe there are financial reasons why she wants to go to medical school, but I'm assuming she's looking for something stable and long term that she can turn into a "real" life - meaning, it'll sustain her financially and emotionally from now until she reaches true retirement age. She also mentioned that her son has been patiently but eagerly awaiting her retirement so she can devote more time to being 'mom' rather than 'hockey player'.
Such are the pressures on a female athlete. Male athletes can retire with their millions and do what they want.