Hayley Wickenheiser. (Antonio Calanni/CP)
Four Olympic gold medals later, Hayley Wickenheiser is hanging ’em up.
One of the all-time great hockey players took to Twitter to announce her decision to retire from the game on Friday.
Dear Canada. It has been the great honour of my life to play for you. Time to hang em up!! Thank you! #grateful #graduationday #canada pic.twitter.com/qzEo6sTgP2
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) January 14, 2017
Her 23-year career was full of championships, highlight-reel plays and groundbreaking accomplishments. Hockey Canada put together a great tribute video to recognize her legendary career.
For what you have done for our game and for our country, we say: Thank you, @wick_22. pic.twitter.com/9Beoth2EA6
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 14, 2017
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Wickenheiser’s stunning announcement:
To my Vancouver 2010 & Sochi 2014 roomie & good friend -Thank you for what you've done for Canada & Women's hockey https://t.co/3hU6qeSc6a
— Shannon Szabados (@ShannonSzabados) January 14, 2017
Wayne Gretzky was the Hayley Wickenheiser of men's hockey. @wick_22
— Rob Del Mundo (@Rob_DelMundo) January 14, 2017
Congratulations to @wick_22 on an epic career. It was an honour to be your teammate. We miss you already! #legend #22
— Meaghan Mikkelson (@Mikkelson12) January 14, 2017
Next stop HHOF. https://t.co/vzGtktfNtd
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) January 14, 2017
The commitment to excellence by @wick_22 helped elevate women's hockey to a higher level, and can't say enough about her #Sochi performance.
— Steve McAllister (@StevieMacSports) January 14, 2017
"I hear they had our flag on their dressing room floor. I wonder if they'd like us to sign it?"–@wick_22 after helping CAN win gold over US
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 14, 2017
Hayley was 16 first time I interviewed her. Never met a more determined athlete. 5 Olympic medals, quite a 23-year ride. Good luck with Act2 https://t.co/LRpDlbQYRw
— Eric Duhatschek (@eduhatschek) January 14, 2017
Did You Know? Hayley Wickenheiser is 1 of 9 Canadians in history to compete in both the Winter & Summer Olympics
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) January 14, 2017
This is what a great Canadian looks like. Congratulations on a wonderful, inspirational career @wick_22 @cbcolympics pic.twitter.com/rr7bVA0NCk
— Scott Russell (@CBCScottRussell) January 14, 2017
