The 24-year-old hockey star from Shaunavon, Sask., signed a contract Monday with men's team Kirkkonummi Salamat of the second-division Finnish league.
Wickenheiser, who was on a 30-day tryout, will remain with the club for the rest of the season.
The Canadian Olympic hero hasn't looked out of place during her three-game audition. Wickenheiser notched an assist in her debut, becoming the first woman to record a point in a professional men's league.
Hayley Wickenheiser signed a contract with Kirkkonummi Salamat of the second-division Finnish league on Monday. (CP Photo)
"I think I've been playing the game long enough that after a few practices and a few good hard scrimmages with the team you could tell if you were going to be able to make an impact," Wickenheiser said Monday after the contract announcement.
"It's been, I would say, a good start, not a bad start, but I know I can play better as time goes on here.
"I'm pretty comfortable with the role, with what they expect me to do."
Thus far, Wickenheiser has played centre on the team's third line. The league-leading Salamat, part-owned by NHL forward Teemu Selanne, has collected two wins and one loss in the three contests Wickenheiser has appeared in.
Wickenheiser can play up to 22 more games with Kirkkonummi, a small town just west of Helsinki, including regular season and playoff contests.
Wickenheiser's journey to Finland hasn't been a direct one.
Frustrated by the lack of competition in the National Women's Hockey League, Wickenheiser sought out a bigger challenge and felt the next logical step was to play in a men's hockey league.
After her attempt to play in the Italian league failed and she turned down an offer in November to try out with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL, an opportunity with Salamat opened up at the end of last year.
Wickenheiser's presence has definitely paid dividends for the team and the league.
The second-tier Finnish league doesn't normally attract much attention but fans packed arenas wherever she played.
Around 2,600 people filled the rink in Joensuu on Sunday for Wickenheiser's game. It was the largest crowd the club has drawn in four years.
"Everywhere she played they have done records," said team president Ari Mennander."
Despite her new contract status, Wickenheiser hasn't played her last women's hockey game. She wants to suit up for Canada at the women's world championship in Beijing this April at the conclusion of her season with Salamat.
"There's no worries that I won't be at the worlds," said Wickenheiser. "Even if we go all the way the last game is March 29, so I would be there just in time to start the worlds in China. It worked out perfectly."
with files from Canadian Press
