Hayley makes history on ice

Canadian Hayley Wickenheiser, 24, probably the best female hockey player in the world, played her first game in the all-male Finnish second division on January 11. Hayley's sensational and unprecedented achievement quickly made her a major media attraction – a reluctant but gracious celebrity.

Vaahteranlehti had the pleasure of meeting Hayley, who stayed in Finland for the rest of the season and post-season, at an event hosted by the Canadian Embassy on March 13.

Hayley chatted excitedly about her stay in Finland. She explained how her positive experience with the Finnish National Women's Team and coaches, as well as her connections with the "Who's Who" of Canadian and Finnish hockey, account for the unique opportunity that presented itself.

She also commented that she gained a lot from the experience of playing in Finland that would help the National Team back in Canada.

Hayley has played nine years for the Canadian Women's National Team. She won the gold for Canada last year at the Winter Olympics and was elected as the tournament's MVP, most valuable player. Altogether, she has been on four World Championship teams. Her first international game was at the tender age of 15.

Watching Hayley play, it became immediately clear that she was well accepted and treated as an equal by her teammates in Kirkkonummen Salamat, and respected by all for her skills and presence on the ice. Hayley's dignified modesty and selflessness for her teammates, no matter if they are Canadian, Finnish, women or men, is truly remarkable and personifies the highest ideals of the Finnish-Canadian Society.

By Dwayne Weleschuk