With the University of Calgary women’s hockey team expected to make a big announcement today, students are excited at the possibility of an Olympian joining the Dinos.
Hayley Wickenheiser, captain of the Olympic women’s hockey team and Canada’s all-time leading scorer, has enrolled in classes at the university, according to a source.
The Dinos have scheduled a news conference for today and it’s expected they will announce the addition of a player from the Olympic gold-medal team.
“I think that’s really exciting and I think that it will probably, definitely, help their fan base,” said U of C student and Dinos fan Vanessa Vegter.
“I think any increase in fan base is a really positive contribution to any sport.”
Vegter, in her fourth year, said she’s noticed the number of fans at women’s hockey games is limited.
“Personally, I find that women’s sports at this school aren’t recognized and not advertised at the same level, and (Wickenheiser) might actually help them.”
The women’s team is also coached by Wickenheiser’s former Canadian teammate Danielle Goyette.
Wickenheiser has played for the Oval X-Treme club team in Calgary between Olympic Games, but that team is no longer operating in the Western Women’s Hockey League.
She has also played men’s pro hockey in Europe.
Members of the Dinos women’s hockey team were unable to comment about the report yesterday.
Katie turner/with files from the canadian press
