Hayley Wickenheiser knows what it's like to compete in a small town.

Growing up in the southwest of Saskatchewan in the rural community of Shaunavon, Wickenheiser refined her skills on the community's outdoor rinks.

Now, at 33 years old and widely regarded as the greatest female ice hockey player

on the planet, Wickenheiser is hoping to give back to the youth of Canada.

She's launched a new website, hayleywickenheiser.com, and is currently holding a nationwide contest titled, "Why Girls' Hockey Rocks in Your Community.”

Female hockey players are being encouraged to create a 60 to 90 second video demonstrating their love for the sport and for their community.

The winning entrant will get a visit from Wickenheiser, a speaking engagement for their hockey association, an autograph and picture session and prizes from Wickenhieser's personal memorabilia collection.

"I'll go into the community and spend the day with them and we'll hang out,” Wickenheiser told the Star.

"I'll speak with them and we'll do some on-ice and off-ice stuff. It's just something I really enjoy doing, working with young kids.

If Wickenheiser ends up in Whitehorse, it won't be her first time.

The hockey legend has visited the community several times, including a stop for

the Canada Games in 2007.

"I've been to Whitehorse a couple of times and I love it,” she said. "It's beautiful up there.”

Wickenheiser, whose hometown has a population of just over 1,500 people, said young athletes shouldn't let where they live limit their abilities or aspirations.

"I never dreamed I'd be doing the things I am today and have the Olympic experiences, but the sky is the limit in terms of allowing yourself to dream and not being afraid to branch out and try different things,” she said.

"Watch the best players in the world, see what they do, try and imitate it and don't limit yourselves.”

Wickenheiser speaks from experience. She's captured three Olympic gold medals on the ice and also participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics in softball.

She first joined the Canadian Women's National Team as a 15-year-old in 1994 and helped the squad win the Women's World Championship that year. She led the team to gold again in 1997, ‘99, ‘00, ‘01, ‘04 and ‘07.

In 1998 the Philadelphia Flyers offered her an invitation to their rookie camp and in 2003 she made history by being the first female ice hockey player to score a goal while playing in a men's professional league. She went on to post 12 points in 23 games with HC Salamat in Finland.

Currently, she's finishing her kinesiology degree and lacing up her skates for the University of Calgary. After playing in 15 games for the university this season, she led the team with 40 points.

"I'm going to play in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi (Russia) and from there I'll decide where I go next with my career,” she said. "Right now I'm finishing my degree and I'll be writing my MCAT this summer so there's lots going on.”

In the meantime, she's excited to have the opportunity to connect with young athletes across the nation, especially those residing in non-urban centres.

"It makes it fun for myself, just to see what kids are doing in the communities and see what's going on in female hockey across the country,” she said. "That's really important to know.”

Wickenheiser said the development of multimedia allows for closer interaction with athletes and serves as an outlet for those in rural areas.

"Technology has really given us a way to connect, more than ever before, and when you're in a small community that's great because you're so isolated,” she said.

"When I was growing up I didn't have a female role model to look up to and I think it's cool that these young kids can go on a website and get the instant resources from the best hockey people in the world and it's right at their fingertips.”

Wickenheiser said there's no specific criteria she's looking for in the videos but she's looking forward to seeing what the youth across the country can come up with.

"We just want to see the most creative and coolest videos out there,” she said.

"There's no limits on what you do or how you do it, it's all judged based on how many "Likes” you get but I'll be watching them all. It should be a fun.

"It's really cool that wherever you are in the country you can apply for it, I might end up in Whitehorse or Newfoundland, you never know.”

For more information on the contest visit hayleywickenheiser.com.