Geraldine Heaney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Geraldine Heaney
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2013
Born	(1967-10-01) October 1, 1967 (age 57) Lurgan, Northern Ireland
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	140 lb (64 kg; 10 st 0 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Right
Played for	Toronto Aeros
Coached for	University of Waterloo Toronto Six
National team	Canada
Playing career	1990–2003
Medal record Representing  Canada Women's ice hockey Olympic Games Gold 2002 Salt Lake City Tournament Silver 1998 Nagano Tournament IIHF World Women's Championships Gold 1990 Canada Tournament Gold 1992 Finland Tournament Gold 1994 United States Tournament Gold 1997 Canada Tournament Gold 1999 Finland Tournament Gold 2000 Canada Tournament Gold 2001 United States Tournament

Geraldine Heaney, born on October 1, 1967, is a famous Irish-Canadian ice hockey coach and former player. She was a top defenceman, known for her amazing skills. Geraldine played for the Toronto Aeros team for 18 seasons, playing over 1,000 games! She helped them win six championships in Ontario. The team even retired her jersey number 91 in 2006 to honor her.

Geraldine was also a key player for the Canadian national team. She played in the first seven Women's World Championships and won a gold medal every single time. She also competed in two Olympic Games. She won a silver medal in 1998 and a gold medal in 2002. In 2022, she became the head coach for the Toronto Six team in the Premier Hockey Federation.

Many people see Geraldine Heaney as a pioneer in women's hockey. She helped the sport grow a lot. Her offensive skills as a defenceman were so good that people compared her to National Hockey League star Bobby Orr. This was especially true after she scored the winning goal in the first world championship and flew through the air! She was one of the first three women to be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2008. Later, she was also inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Hockey Start

Growing Up in Canada

Geraldine Heaney was born on October 1, 1967, in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. When she was just one year old, her parents moved to Canada. They settled in North York, Ontario. Even though she grew up in Canada, Geraldine was always proud of her Irish roots. She often visited Ulster, her birthplace.

Developing a Passion for Hockey

In North York, Geraldine discovered her love for hockey. She often played on outdoor rinks with her brothers. She even played as a goalie for them! Geraldine was a very talented athlete. Besides hockey, she also played Gaelic football, soccer, fastball, and in-line hockey.

Playing Career Highlights

Time with the Toronto Aeros

Geraldine joined her first girls' hockey team when she was 10. She played against girls who were much older than her. In 1980, at age 13, she joined the Toronto Aeros. This started her long career with the team. She played over 1,000 games at the highest levels of women's hockey.

She helped the Aeros win six provincial championships. She was also named the best defenceman in the Ontario Women's Hockey Association three times. These awards came in 1987–88, 1991–92, and 1992–93.

College Hockey Success

While studying at Seneca College in Toronto, Geraldine was first asked to play volleyball. But when she found out the school had a women's hockey team, she quickly switched! In 1987, she led Seneca to win an Ontario Colleges Athletic Association championship. She was also named to the all-star teams for her league and the provincial championship.

National Championships and Retirement

Geraldine was part of four national championship teams with the Aeros. She was the only player to play in the Esso Women's National Hockey Championship every year from 1987 to 2001. She was named the best defender in the tournament in 1993, 1997, and 2001. In 1992, she was named the most valuable player.

She ended her club career in 2004 in an amazing way. While three months pregnant, she scored the overtime-winning goal to win the national championship! To honor her 27-year playing career, the Aeros retired her jersey number 91 in 2006.

International Hockey Achievements

First World Championship Gold

The first official International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women's World Championship was held in 1990 in Ottawa. Geraldine was chosen for Team Canada. She had to quickly become a Canadian citizen to play.

Canada and the United States were the strongest teams. They met in the final game. Geraldine scored the gold medal-winning goal in a very exciting way. She moved around two American defenders and slid the puck into the net. As she scored, she tripped over the goalie and flew through the air! This reminded many people of Bobby Orr's famous Stanley Cup-winning goal. Because of this goal and her offensive skills, Geraldine became known as the "Bobby Orr of women's hockey."

Seven Straight Gold Medals

The 1990 tournament was the first of seven gold medal wins in a row for Geraldine. She was the only player to play in the first seven World Championships for Canada. She was named the best defenceman of the tournament in 1992 and 1994. She was also named to the tournament all-star team in 1992.

Olympic Games Success

Women's hockey became an official medal sport at the 1998 Nagano Games. Geraldine was chosen for the Canadian Olympic team. Canada had won every World Championship against the United States. However, the Americans had started winning against Canada in other tournaments.

Geraldine scored two goals and had four assists in six games. But Canada lost the final to the United States, 3–1. They won the silver medal.

The 2002 Salt Lake Games were planned to be Geraldine's last tournament. She ended her international career with an Olympic gold medal! Canada beat the United States 3–2 in the final. The game was very intense, with many penalties called against Canada. Geraldine said the team felt like the officials tried to give the game to the Americans, but they wouldn't let it happen. After this win, Geraldine was celebrated as a hero in Canada and Northern Ireland.

Geraldine also played in two World Ball Hockey Championships. She won a gold medal in 1992 and a silver medal in 1994.

Coaching Career

After her playing career, Geraldine became a coach. She coached the University of Waterloo Warriors women's hockey team for six seasons. In 2012, she left Waterloo to coach her daughter's young hockey team.

On June 14, 2022, Geraldine Heaney was hired by the Toronto Six of the Premier Hockey Federation. She became the team's third head coach.

Legacy and Hall of Fame Honors

A Pioneer in Women's Hockey

Geraldine Heaney was an amazing offensive defenceman. She played 125 games for the Canadian National Team, scoring 27 goals and getting 66 assists. In World Championship games, she holds Canadian records for most games (35), goals (8), assists (28), and points (36) for a defenceman.

She is seen as a pioneer of modern women's hockey. Many organizations have recognized her contributions. She has been inducted into the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association and Canadian Ball Hockey Halls of Fame.

Hall of Fame Inductions

In 2008, Geraldine Heaney, along with Angela James from Canada and Cammi Granato from the United States, became the first women inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame. Geraldine was very proud of this honor. She saw it as a sign that women's hockey was being recognized worldwide. She said it would help promote the game to many young girls playing hockey today.

Five years later, in 2013, Geraldine became the third woman to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. She followed Angela James and Cammi Granato, who were inducted in 2010. In 2014, she was also inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal Life

After her playing career, Geraldine Heaney settled in Ancaster, Ontario. She lives there with her husband, John. They are raising their two children, Shannon and Patrick.

See also

• List of University of Waterloo people