Hayley Wickenheiser was named the Canadian Press female athlete of the year on Thursday.
The native of Shaunavon, Sask., becomes the first hockey player to win the annual honour, voted on by sports editors and broadcasters across Canada.
Hayley Wickenheiser, seen in Calgary last week at the rink now named after her, was named CP female athlete of the year.
(Larry McDougal/Canadian Press)
"You have to give credit to the people you play with," Wickenheiser said. "We've had a lot of success over the years. ThisĀ is an important step for our team.
"It's a nice recognition for sure."
Wickenheiser inherited the captaincy from retiring Cassie Campbell and led Canada in reclaiming the world championship from the United States with eight goals and six assists in five games in Winnipeg in April.
She was named top forward by the International Ice Hockey Federation and most valuable player of the tournament.
Wickenheiser, 29, then scored eight points in four games as Canada captured the Four Nations Cup in Sweden in November.
Wickenheiser will head to training camp in January as Canada prepares to defend the championship in Harbin, China, in April.
She was on the verge of signing a professional contract with a Swedish men's Division 1 club in September, but the deal fell through at the last moment. Despite an offer from another Swedish club, Wickenheiser decided to return to Canada.
Speedskater Cindy Klassen, winner of the award the past two years, finished second, with freestyle skier Jennifer Heil third. Wickenheiser finished with 138 points and 29 first-place votes.
The award is named after Bobbie Rosenfeld, who was named Canada's female athlete of the first half-century in 1950.
The Canadian Press will announce its team of the year on Friday.
Related
More Hockey Headlines »
- Sens-Wings game could offer Cup preview
- The Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings could offer fans a Stanley Cup final preview matchup when the two clubs clash Saturday night (CBC, 6:30 p.m. ET)
- Bruins hold on against Flyers
- Aaron Ward scored 44 seconds into overtime to give the Boston Bruins a big road win in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon.
- Habs get return engagement on Broadway
- The Montreal Canadiens return on Saturday night to the scene of one their few defeats in recent weeks, taking on the New York Rangers.
- Sliding Leafs search for answers in California
- With their general manager and coach on the hot seat, the Toronto Maple Leafs will try to avoid getting swept in Southern California as they visit the surging San Jose Sharks Saturday night.
- Canada to play for women's U-18 hockey title
- Canada is one win away from the gold medal at the inaugural women's world under-18 hockey championship following its 7-1 semifinal win over Sweden on Friday in Calgary.
More Sports Headlines »
- Sens-Wings game could offer Cup preview
- The Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings could offer fans a Stanley Cup final preview matchup when the two clubs clash Saturday night (CBC, 6:30 p.m. ET)
- Sliding Leafs search for answers in California
- With their general manager and coach on the hot seat, the Toronto Maple Leafs will try to avoid getting swept in Southern California as they visit the surging San Jose Sharks Saturday night.
- Blue Jays discussing Rolen-Glaus swap: report
- The Toronto Blue Jays are close to completing a trade of veteran third basemen with the St. Louis Cardinals, a source close to the talks told the Canadian Press on Saturday.
- Habs get return engagement on Broadway
- The Montreal Canadiens return on Saturday night to the scene of one their few defeats in recent weeks, taking on the New York Rangers.
- France's Grange wins men's World Cup slalom
- Jean-Baptiste Grange won his second World Cup event in as many days, capturing the men's slalom event Saturday in Wengen, Switzerland.
Sports Features
- NBARaptors Basketball
- Sun, Jan. 13 at 12:30 pm ET: Portland at Toronto
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles