Hayley Wickenheiser highlights Order of Hockey in Canada class of 2026
Hayley Wickenheiser’s legend continues to grow, even 10 years after she stepped off the ice for the final time. On Thursday, the now 48-year-old was announced as part of a three-person Class of 2026 for the Order of Hockey in Canada, an honor bestowed on individuals for their “individuals for their outstanding contributions or service to the growth and development of hockey in Canada.”
The award, which began in 2012, will also welcome former coach Melody Davidson and para hockey star Todd Nicholson to the Order, as chosen by a nine-person committee led by former Hockey Night in Canada producer and analyst, John Shannon. The three new additions bring the Order’s total to 39 and mark the first invested class since June 2022.
“There is no shortage of deserving candidates for the Order of Hockey in Canada and the nomination process for this year’s class was no exception,” said Shannon. “Congratulations to Melody, Todd and Hayley for this significant achievement, and thank you to our committee members for their commitment to serving as volunteers to help reintroduce this initiative.”
Wickenheiser’s induction headlines the group, bringing her experience from 1994-2016 with the Canadian national women’s team to the mix. She still holds the record for the most games played with 276, as well as the goals, assists and points record with 168 goals and 379 points.
While her individual national team production stood out, she helped lead the nation to four Olympic gold medals, seven IIHF Women’s World Championship titles, and silver medals at the 1998 Olympics and another six World Championships. Away from the national team, she won the CWHL’s Clarkson Cup six times and captured a U SPORTS national championship with the University of Calgary.
“I am very honoured and grateful to receive the Order of Hockey in Canada,” said Wickenheiser, who was previously inducted into the more-established Order of Canada in 2011. “It was the honour of my life to play for Canada. The beautiful game belongs to all of us, and I share this honour with everyone who loves, contributes to and continues to grow our game.”
Nicholson, meanwhile, joins the Order after captaining Canada’s para hockey team from 1994-2007, where he played on five gold-medal teams, including the 2006 Paralympics.
Davidson’s induction comes as a coach, having been a key part of four Olympic women’s hockey titles, four Women’s World Championship titles, and a silver medal at the 2018 Olympics, all with Hockey Canada. She is now the commissioner of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, which has produced NHL stars including Connor Bedard.
Hockey Canada will celebrate the trio on Dec. 29 before Canada takes on Norway at the 2027 IIHF World Juniors in Edmonton.