There’s one outstanding inductee this year into the Hockey Hall of Fame: Hayley Wickenheiser.
And she’s from Shaunavon, in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan. Wickenheiser is the best female hockey player of all time. No argument. She grew up playing against boys and ultimately played pro hockey in Europe against men. While learning her skills, she attended the Valley Hockey School in Regina, which was operated by the Huck and Davis families, so my family contributed just a little bit to a future Hall of Famer.
The talent, desire and work ethic are all hers. Through 23 years on Canada’s national team, she participated in five Olympics, winning four gold medals and a silver, served as captain, won seven world championships and recorded 379 points in 276 games. Even before retiring she was serving on volunteer committees to represent athletes and improve her sport.
Wickenheiser was writing a medical exam when the announcement was made. When she finally heard about her induction she expressed her appreciation on social media and congratulated her fellow inductees. The worthiness of the other five can be debated. Wickenheiser’s cannot.