Hayley Wickenheiser's enshrinement in hockey's most hallowed building will likely come sooner than some initially thought.
The Hockey Hall of Fame deemed the Canadian legend eligible for induction in 2019, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports.
There was some uncertainty about Wickenheiser's eligibility because she was listed as having played a game in 2016-17, but Hall of Fame officials checked with the CWHL and the Calgary Inferno before making Friday's decision, according to LeBrun.
Induction normally requires a three-year waiting period, so some thought she wouldn't be on the ballot until 2020. The Hall's selection committee will vote in June to determine the 2019 class.
Wickenheiser won four Olympic gold medals and a silver with the Canadian national team, twice earning tournament MVP honors, and is the national program's all-time points leader with 379 in 276 games.
She was also the first woman to play full-time professional hockey at a position other than goaltender and the first woman to score a goal in a men's professional league.
Wickenheiser was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs as assistant director of player development in August. She retired from playing in January 2017 after a 23-year career.
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