Hayley Wickenheiser
Best Female Hockey Player In The World. 4-time Olympic Hockey Gold Medalist, Medical Doctor, Author, and Senior Director of Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Hayley Wickenheiser delivers inspiring keynote speeches relaying stories from her Olympic games for charity, school, and corporate events. She is available for live in-person events and virtual presentations.
She has seven World Championships, six Olympic appearances with five medals and four gold medals. Hayley has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. She was the first female player in the world to notch a point in a men’s professional game while playing in Finland, and played in or coached at four NHL development camps with the Philadelphia Flyers, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, making her the first woman in history to have done so. She also still holds the record for the most assists, points, and goals for the Canadian Women’s National Team.
Hayley Wickenheiser retired in 2017. In 2014 she was Canada’s official flag bearer and she now serves on the IOC Athletes Commission and is the Vice-Chair of the Calgary 2026 Bid Committee.
She has many accolades including being named one of Sports Illustrated Top 25 Toughest Athletes in the World and has been twice named to the Power 50 in Sports. She was among the QMI Agency’s Top 10 Greatest Female Athletes in the History of Sports and is a member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
She made Canada’s Top 40 under 40 and Canada’s Walk of Fame and in 2014 she was awarded Canada’s highest honor when she was appointed to the Order of Canada for her achievements as an athlete and for her contributions to the growth of the women’s game.
Ms. Wickenheiser’s passion for sport is equally matched by her desire to give back to the community through her work with dozens of philanthropic organizations including Lace ‘Em Up, Jumpstart, KidSport, and Right to Play – all organizations dedicated to ensuring kids of all financial and cultural backgrounds can play sports.
She is also the founder of the world-renowned personal and athletic development weekend, The Canadian Tire Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival which provides mentoring and growth opportunities for young athletes from around the world.
Hayley holds several honorary degrees from institutions across Canada, a Masters in Kinesiology, and she is a Medical Doctor currently in a Family Medicine residency while maintaining a position as the Senior Director of Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Hayley offers a unique perspective on these unprecedented times as a member of a number of teams over the years who have been forced to adapt to various situations, even a pandemic causing World Championship cancelations; a doctor in training; a student; a mother; a businesswoman whose business and charitable activities are seeing deep and lasting impacts; a member of the NHL community who is navigating unknown waters; and a public persona who is using her leverage to inspire action.
BUCK IT!
Hayley’s most recent theme encourages the audience to look for opportunities to buck the status quo when doing so means doing the “right” thing vs. following a herd mentality…. right off a cliff.
Health, Wealth and Wondering (in Sport and Life)
A doctor in residence and years of working with the most advanced medical technologies and medical minds in her on-ice career, Hayley offers a unique perspective of the ins and outs of the sports and medicine field and how they entwine, for better and for worse. She also addresses mental health in this session, speaking about her own experiences and that of those she loves.
Adapt or Die!
Nevermore so than in 2020 and beyond, has this mantra of Wickenheiser been more applicable. Hayley is able to relate her experiences during five Olympic runs, and the run of a career from a rookie to a veteran in an Olympic Program and all the changes she’s seen along the way. She is also able to provide insight and coaching to your team about how adaptability is a necessity, not just a skill – a skill Wickenheiser has both stumbled on and honed over the years.
Change as a Path to Greatness
Hayley shares with her audience the importance of always looking for improvements or opportunities for change. Changes in leadership, changes in direction, changes in lifestyle all provide opportunities for growth and most certainly, for new perspective. Her own experience of going from a student to a National Team athlete and Olympian, back to a student and then to a doctor in training on the front lines of a worldwide pandemic, she has become a master of change – or least a master of coming out the other side with something positive.
Navigating the Complex Team Dynamic to Golden Mindset
What does a successful team need and how did Team Canada succeed on the World Stage? How does that apply to the complexity of teams today with technology, distance and connectivity? What kinds of leaders are there and how do the different styles impact success? Wickenheiser has seen (and been) many styles of leaders and has insight on the good, bad, ugly and just plain hilariousness of leadership.
How to Stay Motivated Despite Being at the Top of What You Do
Complacency kills! Wickenheiser offers advice on how to keep the desire alive.
Customized Messages
Hayley has been public speaking for many years and can easily customize one of her existing messages to fit your event or project theme.
Online Presentation Format
Option #1 – Personal and More Intimate Fireside Chat Style
• 10 minutes of talking about selected topic + some degree of customization based on your organization
• 40+ minutes of moderated Q&A (Client to moderate and ‘starter’ questions can be provided to moderator to get conversation going.)
• Up to 10 Personalized autographed images sent by mail
Option #2 – Traditional Moved to Online
• 20+ minutes of talking about selected topic + some degree of customization based on your organization
• 15 minutes of moderated Q&A (Client to moderate and ‘starter’ questions can be provided to moderator to get conversation going.)
• Up to 10 Personalized autographed images sent by mail
Option #3 – ACTIVE SESSION: Movement/hockey focused
• Physical component to include 15-20 minutes of movement/hockey advice or leading a group workout. Format to be customized with client.
• 20-30 minutes of moderated Q&A (Client to moderate and ‘starter’ questions can be provided to moderator to get conversation going.)
• Up to 10 Personalized autographed images to be sent by mail
Being a Female In A Male-Dominated World
Wickenheiser explains what it was like to grow up playing with the boys and later playing men’s professional hockey overseas.
Teamwork and Success
What does a successful team need and how did Team Canada succeed on the World Stage?
Change as a Path to Greatness
Wickenheiser shares with her audience the importance of always look for improvements/change within your life.
It’s Foolish To Be Normal!
Success comes from going above – and beyond – what others normally do.
How To Stay Motivated Despite Being At The Top of What You Do
Complacency kills! Wickenheiser offers advice on how to keep the desire alive.
The Olympic Experience
What is it like to compete in both a summer and winter Olympics?
Balance of Family/Kids With Competitive Sport
Wickenheiser explains why family support matters and prioritizing matters even more!
Dealing With Criticism and Pressure – How to Perform When It Matters Most
Inspiration for the next generation of athletes and sports in Canada to perform even better.
“Thanks again for helping us out last night. You rocked it. Feedback has been amazing as people in attendance were completely impressed by your stories and also commented about being inspired and motivated from hearing you speak. I even caught glimpses of a few tears in the room as well at certain points of your talk. We also received high praise for your approachability and people liked the picture op with you and the medals. Once again, thank you!”
Kevin Morihira, KPMG
Canadian Tire
Farm Credit Corporation
Merck
Enbridge
Encana
Clean Air Champions
Red Flag
Canadian Homebuilders Association – Calgary Chapter
Hockey Hall of Fame.
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