茄子直播

茄子直播 alumna Jayna Hefford inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame

Photo of Jayna Hefford playing
Team Canada's Jayna Hefford scores against the U.S. team in Salt Lake City during the XIX Winter Olympics in 2002 (photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Most Canadians would find it hard to discuss women鈥檚 hockey without mentioning Jayna Hefford. Consider her achievements: Hefford is among just five players in the world to win a gold medal in four consecutive Olympic Games. She ranks second of all-time in Team Canada history with 267 games played, 157 goals scored and 291 points. Throughout her career, Hefford played in 12 world championships, winning seven gold medals and five silver medals.

That鈥檚 why the University of Toronto鈥檚 alumna鈥檚 induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame this week didn't come as a surprise 鈥 except maybe to her. 鈥淚 was so humbled,鈥 said Hefford. 鈥淚t鈥檚 certainly one of the greatest honours in my hockey career. It is the result of many years of hard work and it encompasses so many people. I think this is why it is so important and was more emotional than I had envisioned.鈥

Hefford鈥檚 friend and former teammate Vicky Sunohara was thrilled to hear the news. 鈥淚t was just a matter of time,鈥 said Sunohara, who is currently the head coach of women鈥檚 hockey at the University of Toronto. 鈥淭he respect that people have for Jayna speaks volumes. You could interview so many players over so many generations who have played with her and they would only have great things to say about her.鈥

The game came naturally to Hefford. She learned to skate at age six and by 1994 she was a member of Ontario's championship team in the women's under-18 tournament. The following year, she joined Team Ontario as captain to take home gold in the Canada Winter Games. Looking back, Hefford can鈥檛 remember a time in her life without hockey and she can even pinpoint the exact moment she decided to make it a career.

鈥淭he first time I watched the Canadian women鈥檚 team on television was definitely a pivotal moment for me,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat was when I decided that was what I wanted to accomplish, too.鈥

During her time at the University of Toronto she was an all-star member of the Varsity Blues women鈥檚 hockey team. She took home the title of Ontario Women's Interuniversity Athletic Association's top scorer and earned rookie of the year. While she admits that being a student and an athlete can be challenging, she says she wouldn鈥檛 change a thing. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such an incredible experience,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 loved my time with the Varsity Blues. I loved being able to complete my education and also play hockey every day. And I admired my teammates for their commitment to both athletics and academics.鈥

After leaving 茄子直播 with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Hefford snagged gold in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Women's Championships. The accolades continued to pour in for Hefford. She was the tournament鈥檚 top scorer in 1999 and 2000. In 2004 and 2005, she won the Directorate Award for Top Forward.

鈥淪he鈥檚 really one of the most mentally tough players I鈥檝e ever played with,鈥 said Sunohara. 鈥淪he was always very even-keeled. You can鈥檛 get under Jayna鈥檚 skin. She was a great teammate and a great leader 鈥 she led by example.鈥

When women鈥檚 hockey was added as an official Olympic sport in 1998, Hefford was asked to be a member of Team Canada. The team brought home a silver medal that year in Nagano. There would be four more Olympic Games 鈥 and four more gold medals 鈥 in Hefford鈥檚 future. She and Team Canada took home gold in Salt Lake City, Turin, Vancouver and Sochi. This string of victories made her one of just three women in history to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals in women鈥檚 hockey.

Hefford had such fond memories of her time on the ice at 茄子直播 that she returned as a coach when Sunohara took over the team.  鈥淚t was nice to be back where I competed and in a program that strives for excellence in all capacities,鈥 she said. 

Off the ice, Hefford and Sunohara were just as well-matched. 鈥淚 think we complemented each other well,鈥 said Sunohara. 鈥淲e saw eye to eye. I tend to get excited and caught up in the game and she has a much calmer persona.鈥

Now that she has hung up her skates professionally, Hefford is focused on her role as interim commissioner of the Canadian Women鈥檚 Hockey League as well raising her three kids with partner (and former Olympian) Kathleen Kauth. She is also a professional speaker on the topic of focusing on change and adaptability, resilience and creating successful cultures.

While her busy schedule means she doesn鈥檛 get to play as often as she would like, she continues to fuel her passion for the game by being involved in the hockey world every day. And if her kids decide to follow in her skate steps, she has some advice for them: 鈥淚 would tell them that if they have a passion for the game and are willing to work hard, then they will have some of the best experiences of their lives through the game. It has given me so much, I鈥檓 very grateful for that.鈥

 

 

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