Hubbry Logo
Hilary KnightHilary KnightMain
Open search
Hilary Knight
Community hub
Hilary Knight
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Hilary Knight
Hilary Knight
Hilary Knight
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Hilary Atwood Knight (born July 12, 1989)[1] is an American ice hockey forward for PWHL Seattle of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She is also captain of the United States women's national ice hockey team.[2] She previously played for the Les Canadiennes de Montréal of the CWHL and the Boston Pride of the NWHL, with whom she won the inaugural Isobel Cup, and the Boston Fleet of the PWHL.

Key Information

Knight played high school hockey for Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut and college hockey at Wisconsin. In her first year at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Knight helped the team place second in the NCAA championships. The following year she led her team in points as the Badgers went on to win the National Championship.[3] With the US national team, she has won nine gold medals at the IIHF World Women's Championship and a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Knight was the inaugural recipient of the IIHF Female Player of the Year award in 2023.[4]

Early life

[edit]

Knight was born in Palo Alto, California; she grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois and Hanover, New Hampshire.[5][6] After moving to Lake Forest, her mother enrolled Knight and her three younger brothers in hockey. She grew up in a skiing family. Her cousin is three-time Olympic alpine skier Chip Knight.[7]

Playing career

[edit]

Wisconsin Badgers

[edit]
Tile at the Kohl Center recognizing Knight's achievements with the Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey team

In her freshman season (2007–2008), Knight ranked second on the team in goals (20) and tied for fifth on the team in assists (18). Her points total of 38 was third overall in team scoring. She ranked seventh in the nation in points per game for rookies and game-winning goals. During the season, Knight had 12 multi-point games (ranked third). For the season, Knight led the team in game-winning goals with six. On February 2, Knight recorded a hat trick against WCHA rival North Dakota.

As a sophomore, Knight appeared in 39 games for the Badgers. Knight led the NCAA in goal scoring (45) and points (83). Her 16 power-play goals ranked first in the NCAA. Based on her statistical accomplishments, Knight became the new Badgers record-holder for points, goals, and power-play goals in one season. She recorded 24 multi-point games, 13 multi-goal games, and 11 multi-assist games.

On September 27, 2008, versus the Quinnipiac Bobcats, Knight had a career-high (and school record) five goals in one game. In the process, she recorded her first natural hat trick. Versus WCHA rival North Dakota (on November 16), Knight got her second hat trick of the season. During the Frozen Four, Knight led the team in scoring with six points (three goals and three assists). From September 26 to October 31, Knight had a nine-game point-scoring streak. She would end the season with a six-game point streak.

On October 2, 2010, Knight had a five-point game in a 6–0 victory over RPI. She had a natural hat trick to start the game and then had two assists.[8] On January 14 and 16, 2011, Knight produced eight scoring points while leading the Badgers to a two-game sweep of St. Cloud State. Knight accumulated five points on three goals and two assists in the January 14, 10–0 win. On the 16th, she had two more goals and one assist for three points as the Badgers won 6–0. Of her five goals, two were scored on the power play, and one of the goals on January 14 was the game-winner. With the sweep, the Badgers increased their winning streak to 10 straight games. Knight was the top goal scorer in Div. 1 women's hockey this season with 31.[9] On February 5, 2011, Knight scored her 36th goal of the year at 2:46 in the overtime period as Wisconsin defeated the Bemidji State Beavers by a 3–2 mark at the Sanford Center. Bemidji State goalie Alana McElhinney made 43 saves on the night, including 24 in the second period.[10]

Plaque at LaBahn Arena in Madison recognizing Knight as one of the All-American recognized alumni of the Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey team

On September 25, 2011, Knight scored her fifth career hat trick in a 13–0 defeat of the Lindenwood Lady Lions ice hockey program.[11] In a December 10, 2011, WCHA contest versus Bemidji State, Knight produced four points,[12] giving her a career total of 239. She has now surpassed Meghan Duggan's 238 career points to become the Wisconsin Badgers' all-time leading point scorer. For her efforts, Knight was recognized as the WCHA Player of the Week.[13] On January 28, 2012, the Badgers hosted a record crowd of 12,402 that attended the Kohl Center as Wisconsin swept the Bemidji State Beavers. Knight notched her first goal since December 10 with 7:38 left in the third period. Said goal would stand as the game-winner on Fill the Bowl night.[14] She graduated with 262 career points and is the Badgers all-time leader in goals (143), game-winning goals (30), power-play goals (37), and short-handed goals (8).[15]

CWHL

[edit]

Selected fourth overall by the Boston Blades in the 2012 CWHL Draft, Knight ended the season third overall in league scoring. She became the first American-born player to win the CWHL's Most Valuable Player Award. She was the leading scorer in the postseason, helping the Blades win the 2013 Clarkson Cup.[16][17]

NWHL

[edit]

On September 25, 2015, Knight moved to the Boston Pride of the NWHL.[18] In her first game with the Boston Pride, she scored the team's first goal and went on to score another goal in the game.[19] She finished the season as the NWHL's first scoring champion. Knight scored the overtime-winning goal in Game 1 of the 2016 Isobel Cup finals[20] and ultimately won the inaugural Isobel Cup with the Pride.[21] In February 2017, while playing for Team Kessel, Knight scored a goal at the 2nd NWHL All-Star Game.[22]

Return to CWHL

[edit]

On March 8, 2018, Les Canadiennes de Montreal announced that Knight would be joining the team in time for the 2018 CWHL playoff run.[23] Knight would return to Les Canadiennes for the 2018-19 CWHL season, helping the club reach the 2019 Clarkson Cup finals. Knight would earn an assist in the game, despite the Calgary Inferno defeating Montreal in a 5–2 final score.

PWHPA

[edit]

In May 2019, Knight joined the #ForTheGame movement, leading to the formation of the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association.[24][25][26]

PWHL

[edit]
Knight with PWHL Boston in March 2024

Knight was one of the first players to sign in the new Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) when she signed with PWHL Boston on September 7, 2023.[27] On January 2, 2024, Knight was named the team's inaugural captain.[28]

During the 2024–25 season, she recorded 15 goals and 14 assists during the regular season. Her 29 points tied Sarah Fillier for the league lead, as she claimed the PWHL Points Leader award.[29]

During the league's expansion ahead of the 2025–26 season, Knight was left unprotected by the Fleet and signed a one-year contract with PWHL Seattle on June 4, 2025, becoming the first player to join the new team.[30][31]

International

[edit]
Hilary Knight playing for Team USA in October 2017

As a teenager, Knight was a United States senior national team member. In November 2006, she played for Team USA in the Four Nations Cup and was the youngest player for Team USA at 17 years old.[32] At the 2007 IIHF World Women's Championship, she was the youngest player on the United States squad. Her head coach was also the Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson. Knight earned silver at the tournament for the US. Later that year, she played for the United States Under 22 National Team. She scored the game-winning goal at 7:48 of overtime as the U.S. Women's National Team won its third consecutive world title with a 3–2 overtime victory against Canada at the 2011 IIHF Women's World Championship at Hallenstadion.[33] In the United States first game of the 2011 IIHF Eight Nations Tournament, Knight scored a hat trick in a victory over Russia.[34] In the opening match of the 2012 IIHF World Women's Championships, Knight scored two goals in a 9–2 win over Canada.[35]

Knight represented the United States at the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship where she recorded eight goals and four assists in seven games. During the championship game she recorded a hat trick to help lead USA to a gold medal. With 12 points during the tournament, she became the first player in IIHF World Women's Championship history to surpass 100 career points. The win also gave Knight nine career gold medals, tying Danielle Goyette for most all time. It was also her 13th career medal, tying Hayley Wickenheiser for the most medals all time.[36]

Olympics

[edit]

Knight has participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. She took a year (2009–2010) off from studying at the University of Wisconsin to join Team USA. She was the youngest member of either the men's or women's teams, at 20 years, 217 days of age.[37] She had 7 assists and 1 goal, with the lone goal coming against Finland. She finished the Olympics with 8 points and earned a silver medal.

In 2014, Knight was tied for the Team USA lead in points with 6 and scored the team's first goal of the tournament. She was named to the Media All-Star team after the end of the Games.[38] She finished the tournament with 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points and earned a silver medal. In 2018, Knight scored Team USA's first goal in the final game and earned a gold medal. On January 2, 2022, Knight was named to Team USA's roster to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.[39]

[edit]

On March 3, 2018, Knight made a guest appearance on the Weekend Update segment of Saturday Night Live.[40][41]

In 2019, Knight was featured in an episode of "Change of Pace", a TV Mini Series by Redbull about female athletes who want to make a positive impact on the future of women's sports.[42][43]

Personal life

[edit]

Knight is a member of the queer community.[44] Knight and USA speed skater Brittany Bowe began dating in December 2022.[45]

In addition to her playing career, Knight has had various leadership roles within women's hockey. After the founding of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) in 2023, she was named to the executive committee of the league's labor union, the PWHL Players Association; she was voted the union's player representative for PWHL Boston.[46]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08 University of Wisconsin WCHA 36 19 16 35 24 5 1 2 3 4
2008–09 University of Wisconsin WCHA 34 39 28 67 18 5 6 10 16 6
2010–11 University of Wisconsin WCHA 34 42 27 69 10 7 5 7 12 2
2011–12 University of Wisconsin WCHA 34 28 26 54 22 6 3 3 6 0
2012–13 Boston Blades CWHL 24 17 15 32 10 4 1 4 5 0
2013–14 Boston Blades CWHL 4 4 4 8 0 4 5 1 6 0
2014–15 Boston Blades CWHL 13 8 14 22 4 3 4 3 7 6
2015–16 Boston Pride NWHL 17 15 18 33 8 4 7 2 9 0
2016–17 Boston Pride NWHL 10 8 7 15 4 2 3 2 5 2
2017–18 Les Canadiennes de Montréal CWHL 1 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0
2018–19 Les Canadiennes de Montréal CWHL 23 9 8 17 4 4 4 4 8 0
2020–21 Team Adidas PWHPA 6 3 3 6 6 — — — — —
2022–23 Team Sonnet PWHPA 18 4 6 10 0 — — — — —
2023–24 PWHL Boston PWHL 24 6 5 11 6 8 0 0 0 6
2024–25 Boston Fleet PWHL 30 15 14 29 12 — — — — —
NWHL totals 27 23 25 48 12 6 10 4 14 2
CWHL totals 65 38 41 79 20 17 14 12 26 6
PHWPA totals 24 7 9 16 6 — — — — —
PWHL totals 54 21 19 40 18 8 0 0 0 6

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2007 United States WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 2 2 4 0
2008 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 0 1 1 0
2009 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 7 2 9 0
2010 United States OG 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 1 7 8 0
2011 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 5 9 14 0
2012 United States WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 5 2 7 0
2013 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 1 1 2 0
2014 United States OG 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 3 3 6 6
2015 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 7 5 12 0
2016 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 7 2 9 0
2017 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 4 5 9 0
2018 United States OG 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 2 1 3 4
2019 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 7 4 11 4
2021 United States WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 4 2 6 2
2022 United States OG 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 6 4 10 0
2022 United States WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 6 3 9 0
2023 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 8 4 12 6
2024 United States WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 4 6 10 0
2025 United States WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 2 7 9 0
Senior totals 109 79 68 147 22

Career highs

[edit]
  • Most goals in one game: 5; vs. Quinnipiac (September 27, 2008)
  • Most assists in one game: 5; vs. St. Cloud State (February 11, 2012)
  • Most points in one game: 6; vs. St. Cloud State (February 11, 2012)
  • Longest point-scoring streak: 20 consecutive games; (December 10, 2010, to February 26, 2011)
  • Career multi-point games: 63[37]

Awards and honors

[edit]
  • The city of Sun Valley, Idaho, declared May 19, 2011, as Hilary Knight Day.[47]

IIHF

[edit]
  • 2023 IIHF Female Player of the Year[4]
  • 2019 IIHF World Women's Championship Tournament scoring leader and All-star team[48]
  • 2016 IIHF World Women’s Championship Tournament MVP, scoring leader, Best Forward, and All-star team[49]
  • 2015 IIHF World Women's Championship Tournament MVP, scoring leader, Best Forward, and All-star team[50]
  • 2011 IIHF World Women's Championship Tournament scoring leader and All-star team[51]

NCAA

[edit]
  • 2009 RBK Hockey/AHCA Division I first-team All-American
  • 2009 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award top 10 finalist
  • 2009 WCHA Player of the Year
  • 2009 Frozen Four All-Tournament team
  • 2011 Frozen Four All-Tournament team
  • 2011 NCAA Tournament MVP
  • 2008 WCHA All-Rookie Team
  • WCHA Offensive Player of the Week (Week of Oct.8, 2008)
  • WCHA Offensive Player of the Week (Week of November 19, 2008)
  • WCHA Offensive Player of the Week (Week of October 5, 2010)
  • 2008–09 WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year
  • WCHA Rookie of the Week honors (Week of January 7, 2009)
  • WCHA Rookie of the Week honors (Week of February 4, 2009)
  • 2010 WCHA Pre-Season Player of the Year[52]
  • WCHA Offensive Player of the Week (Week of January 5, 2011)[53]
  • WCHA Offensive Player of the Week (Week of January 19, 2011)[9]
  • 2011 Patty Kazmaier Award Nominee[54]
  • 2011 First Team All-America selection[55]
  • WCHA Player of the Week (Week of December 14, 2011)[13]

CWHL

[edit]
  • 2013 CWHL Most Outstanding Player Award

NWHL

[edit]
  • 2015–16 NWHL regular season scoring champion

PWHL

[edit]

USA Hockey

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hilary Knight

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Hilary Knight is an American ice hockey player known for her exceptional career as a forward and captain of the United States women's national team, where she has become the most decorated athlete in the program's history with an Olympic gold medal and a record 10 IIHF Women's World Championship titles. She holds IIHF World Championship career records for goals, assists, and points, was named IIHF Female Player of the Year in 2023, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in women's hockey for her on-ice dominance and off-ice advocacy. Born on July 12, 1989, in Sun Valley, Idaho, Knight began playing hockey at age five after her family relocated to Illinois, where she competed alongside boys and idolized Olympic gold medalist Cammi Granato. She starred at the University of Wisconsin from 2007 to 2012, leading the Badgers to NCAA Division I national championships in 2009 and 2011 while setting program records and earning multiple All-American honors and Patty Kazmaier Award top-10 finishes. Knight joined the U.S. national team in 2006 and has represented her country in four Olympic Winter Games, securing gold in 2018 and silver medals in 2010, 2014, and 2022; she has announced that the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics will mark her fifth and final appearance. Internationally, she has captained Team USA to gold at multiple World Championships, including in 2023 and 2025, and consistently delivered standout performances across nearly two decades of competition. Professionally, Knight has competed in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, National Women's Hockey League, Professional Women's Hockey Players Association, and the Professional Women's Hockey League, where she led the Boston Fleet in points during the PWHL's inaugural 2024-25 season and now plays for PWHL Seattle. She played a pivotal role in the 2017 advocacy efforts that secured equitable treatment for U.S. women's national team players and has been instrumental in establishing the PWHL as a sustainable professional league, while also serving as an ambassador for the sport through endorsements and public visibility.

Early life

Background and family

Hilary Knight was born on July 12, 1989, in Sun Valley, Idaho, USA. Some sources indicate her birthplace as Palo Alto, California, but she is widely associated with Sun Valley as her birthplace. Her family relocated to Illinois when she was young, where she grew up and pursued her athletic interests in a supportive environment. Details on her parents and siblings are limited in primary sources.

Introduction to hockey

Hilary Knight first experienced ice skating at age four, when she visited the local park's rink in Sun Valley, Idaho, with family friends. This early exposure to the ice laid the foundation for her passion for hockey. After her family relocated to Illinois, she began playing organized ice hockey at age five, quickly developing a deep love for the sport, competing alongside boys, and dreaming of Olympic participation even as women's hockey was emerging. Her initial involvement came through local youth programs in Illinois, setting the stage for her future progression in the sport.

Junior and high school career

Hilary Knight attended Choate Rosemary Hall, a preparatory school in Wallingford, Connecticut, where she played hockey for four seasons from 2003 to 2007. As a freshman in 2003-04, she led all freshmen in scoring with 33 points (18 goals and 15 assists) and received the Choate Athletic Award. In her sophomore year (2004-05), Knight registered a team-high 53 points (39 goals and 14 assists) and earned the Choate Athletic Award for the second time. Her junior season (2005-06) proved even more dominant, as she paced the team in goals (33), assists (18), and points (52) while being named Founders League MVP. Knight capped her high school career with an outstanding senior year in 2006-07, recording a personal best 73 points (53 goals and 20 assists) and claiming her second Founders League MVP honor. By this point, she had established herself as one of the top high school players in the country. In addition to her prep school play, Knight competed for the Connecticut Polar Bears 19U club team, where she posted 84 points (50 goals and 34 assists) in 42 games during 2005-06 and 81 points (55 goals and 26 assists) in 33 games in 2006-07. Her performances at Choate Rosemary Hall and with the Polar Bears made her a highly recruited prospect for college hockey programs.

College career

University of Wisconsin

Hilary Knight played for the University of Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey team from 2007 to 2012, establishing herself as one of the program's most accomplished players. She held the all-time career points record of 262 until March 2025, when Casey O'Brien surpassed it. She remains the program's all-time leader in career goals (143) and holds records for career shots (986), game-winning goals (30), and power-play goals (37). Knight helped lead the Badgers to two NCAA Division I national championships in 2009 and 2011. In the 2008-09 season, she led the nation with 45 goals, 38 assists, and 83 points, earning WCHA Player of the Year honors and NCAA First Team All-American recognition as Wisconsin claimed the national title. In the 2010-11 season, she set a school single-season record with 47 goals and ranked third nationally with 81 points to fuel another national championship run. She was a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award during her college career and earned multiple All-American and conference accolades for her scoring prowess and leadership on the ice. Her performance at Wisconsin solidified her reputation as an elite forward before transitioning to professional play.

Professional career

Canadian Women's Hockey League

Hilary Knight was selected fourth overall by the Boston Blades in the 2010 CWHL Draft. She made her professional debut in 2012 after completing her college career and played for the Boston Blades from 2012 to 2015. In her rookie professional season of 2012-13, Knight led the Blades with 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points and helped guide the team to the Clarkson Cup championship. She remained a dominant offensive force in subsequent seasons, pacing Boston in key statistical categories including goals, assists, and points in multiple campaigns. Knight contributed significantly to Boston's second Clarkson Cup victory in 2015, including a hat trick in the semifinal against the Toronto Furies as the Blades advanced and ultimately defeated the Montreal Stars 3-2 in overtime in the final. Her performances across her initial CWHL seasons with Boston solidified her reputation as a top scorer and champion in the league. After playing in the NWHL, Knight returned to the CWHL with Les Canadiennes de Montréal. In 2017-18, she appeared in 1 game, and in 2018-19, she recorded 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points in 23 games. The CWHL ceased operations in 2019.

National Women's Hockey League

Hilary Knight played in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) with the Boston Pride during the league's first two seasons from 2015 to 2017. In the inaugural 2015-16 campaign, she led the NWHL in scoring with 15 goals, 18 assists, and 33 points across 17 regular season games, establishing herself as the league's first scoring champion. Knight also excelled in the playoffs, recording 7 goals and 2 assists in 4 games, including an overtime-winning goal in Game 1 of the Isobel Cup Finals, as the Pride captured the inaugural Isobel Cup title. She was selected to the NWHL All-Star Game and recognized as the league leader in goals, assists, and points that season. During the 2016-17 season, Knight appeared in 10 regular season games, tallying 8 goals and 7 assists for 15 points, while the Boston Pride secured the regular season championship. She added 3 goals and 2 assists in 2 playoff games and participated in the NWHL All-Star Game for the second consecutive year. Knight's NWHL tenure ended after 2016-17, after which she did not return to the league.

Professional Women's Hockey League

Hilary Knight entered the Professional Women's Hockey League as a member of the Boston Fleet during the league's inaugural season. She served as captain of the Fleet for its first two seasons from 2023 to 2025, guiding the team to the Walter Cup Finals in the league's opening year. In the 2024-25 regular season, Knight recorded 29 points on 15 goals and 14 assists across 30 games, tying for first in league points and tying for second in goals. Across 54 career regular-season PWHL games with Boston, she amassed 40 points on 21 goals and 19 assists. She was named a finalist for the 2024-25 PWHL Forward of the Year and Billie Jean King Most Valuable Player awards. Following the 2024-25 season, Knight signed a one-year contract with the expansion Seattle Torrent, becoming the first player to join the new franchise. In November 2025, ahead of the 2025-26 season, she was named the first-ever captain of the Seattle Torrent. General Manager Meghan Turner described Knight as a trailblazer whose leadership would set the tone for the organization in its inaugural season. Knight expressed honor in leading the team in a city with a strong women's sports history.

International career

United States national team debut and early success

Hilary Knight debuted with the United States women's national team in November 2006 at the Four Nations Cup as a 17-year-old rookie, becoming the youngest player on the roster at the time. She joined the senior team while still in high school and participated in the tournament where the U.S. finished second. Knight also began her international experience that year as a member of the U.S. Under-22 Women's National Team, serving in that program from 2006 to 2008 and again in 2010. Her senior-level debut at the IIHF Women's World Championship came in 2007, where the United States earned a silver medal. The following year proved a breakthrough, as Knight contributed to the U.S. team's gold medal victory at the 2008 IIHF Women's World Championship, marking her first world title. She also excelled at the 2008 Four Nations Cup, leading the tournament in scoring with five points (three goals and two assists). These early appearances established her as a rising talent on the international stage prior to her college career at the University of Wisconsin beginning in 2007.

Olympic Games

Hilary Knight has represented the United States women's ice hockey team at five Olympic Winter Games, securing a medal in each of her first four appearances and establishing herself as one of the program's most decorated Olympians. She earned silver medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, and another silver at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Knight made her Olympic debut in 2010 as a forward on the U.S. roster that reached the gold medal game before falling to Canada for the silver. She returned in 2014, contributing to another strong tournament run that ended with silver after a loss to Canada in the final. Her standout Olympic moment came in 2018, when the U.S. team defeated Canada to claim gold, marking the nation's first Olympic women's hockey title since 1998. Knight played a key role as a top-line forward during the tournament. In 2022, she helped lead the team back to the gold medal game in Beijing, though they again settled for silver following a defeat to Canada. In the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Knight has recorded 12 shots on goal over four games, averaging 3.0 shots per game. As a five-time Olympian, Knight has consistently been among the team's leading performers across these Games, helping maintain the United States' competitive dominance in international women's hockey.

IIHF World Women's Championships

Hilary Knight has enjoyed one of the most accomplished careers in IIHF World Women's Championship history, representing the United States in 15 tournaments after being selected to 16 teams (the 2020 event was canceled due to the global pandemic). She has captured 10 gold medals (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2025) and 5 silver medals (2007, 2012, 2021, 2022, 2024). Knight holds the all-time IIHF Women's World Championship records for career goals (67), assists (50), and points (117), making her the tournament's leading scorer across all categories. She broke Hayley Wickenheiser's previous assists record of 49 during the 2025 tournament, earning her 50th assist in a 5-0 victory over Switzerland by setting up Caroline Harvey on a rebound play. Her performances have frequently earned individual recognition and contributed decisively to team success. In 2015, she led the tournament with 7 goals and 12 points while tying for first with a plus-8 rating, capturing Tournament MVP, Best Forward, and Media All-Star honors. She repeated as Tournament MVP and Best Forward in 2016 after leading with 7 goals, and in 2017 she scored the overtime gold-medal goal against Canada in the final. Knight also paced the scoring in other years, such as leading with 5 goals and 9 assists in 2011 and topping the tournament with 7 goals in 2009. In recent tournaments, often as captain, she has continued to excel, earning selection as one of Team USA's three best players in multiple events, including 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025, while guiding the team to additional titles.

Personal life

Advocacy and off-ice activities

Hilary Knight has emerged as one of the most prominent advocates for gender equity and improved professional conditions in women's ice hockey. In March 2017, she played a central leadership role in the U.S. women's national team's public threat to boycott the IIHF World Women's Championships unless USA Hockey addressed longstanding disparities in compensation, training support, and program investment compared to the men's team. The collective action, after 15 months of negotiations, resulted in a historic four-year agreement that raised annual compensation to approximately $70,000 per player, introduced performance bonuses (such as $20,000 for Olympic or world gold), equalized travel arrangements, insurance, and per diem with the men's team, and created a joint committee to enhance marketing and promotion of the women's game alongside a new foundation position for girls' hockey development. Knight highlighted the importance of team unity in securing these gains, stating in a post-agreement interview that she was proud of the collective effort to achieve meaningful change. Following the 2019 collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League and persistent concerns over low pay and lack of professionalism in the National Women's Hockey League, Knight co-founded the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) and served as a member of its board of directors. The PWHPA orchestrated a multi-year boycott of North American professional leagues to demand a single, sustainable, economically viable professional league backed by adequate wages, health insurance, and player protections. Knight described existing leagues as insufficiently professional, stating that "getting paid pennies to go play and call yourself professional, that's not something any of us are interested in," and emphasized the group's mission to create a better future for talented players. She acknowledged the significant personal sacrifices involved, including logistical burdens such as securing insurance, arranging travel, managing ticket sales, and renting ice time during boycott periods, while noting the high stakes: "If this doesn’t work, a hundred and something players—the best players in the world—depend on us." The PWHPA maintained visibility through initiatives like the Dream Gap Tour, which featured showcase games and youth clinics to engage fans and demonstrate support for systemic reform. Knight has repeatedly stressed the responsibility of visible athletes to advocate for change, explaining that her prominence compels her to "throw my weight around to say, ‘We deserve better, we’ve earned better,’" to prevent future generations from facing similar barriers. These efforts helped build momentum toward the establishment of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) in 2023, marking a major step in realizing the PWHPA's vision for sustainable professional women's hockey.

Media appearances and public profile

Hilary Knight has maintained a prominent public profile through various media appearances, often highlighting her role as a leading figure in women's hockey. She posed for ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue in 2014, appearing nude to showcase the physique of an elite athlete and discuss her training and career. Knight has also worked as a hockey analyst, serving as a guest analyst for NBC during the 2019 NHL playoffs and later joining ESPN's NHL broadcast team as an analyst. Following the United States women's national team's gold medal victory at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Knight and her teammates made several high-profile television appearances. The team was honored on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February 2018, where DeGeneres celebrated their achievement and emphasized the importance of their fight for equality in the sport. Knight personally appeared on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update segment on March 3, 2018, joining comedian Leslie Jones to recap the Olympics, playfully engage with the anchors, and allow Jones and musical guests Migos to wear her gold medal. Knight has additional credits in sports media and entertainment, including an episode of the Red Bull TV mini-series Change of Pace in 2019, where she appeared as herself. Other appearances include a comedic segment on Sports Illustrated Funniest People in Sports: SlapChopt in 2014 and a commercial for Crunchers: Mr. Salt's Bestest Warm-Up in 2020. These appearances reflect her visibility beyond the ice, contributing to her status as a recognizable advocate for women's professional hockey.

Awards and honors

Individual awards

Hilary Knight has received numerous individual accolades for her contributions to women's ice hockey at the collegiate, professional, and international levels. She has been honored as the USA Hockey Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year three times—in 2014, 2022, and 2025—recognizing her outstanding performance and leadership with the national team. In 2023, Knight became the inaugural recipient of the IIHF Female Player of the Year award, voted by fans, media, and coaches following her dominant performance, including leading Team USA to gold at the IIHF Women's World Championship where she recorded 12 points. At the IIHF Women's World Championships, Knight has earned Tournament MVP honors in 2015 and 2016, along with Best Forward and leading scorer designations in those years, and she was selected to the tournament All-Star Team in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2019. During her collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin, Knight was a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, the top honor for women's NCAA Division I hockey players. She also earned multiple All-American honors and conference player of the year recognitions.

Team championships and recognitions

Hilary Knight has contributed to several team championships in professional women's hockey leagues. With the Boston Blades in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, she was part of the squads that captured the Clarkson Cup in 2013 and 2015. In the National Women's Hockey League, Knight helped the Boston Pride secure the inaugural Isobel Cup in 2016 with a two-game sweep over the Buffalo Beauts, highlighted by her overtime penalty-shot goal in the first game and an insurance goal in the clincher. As a key member of the United States women's national team, Knight has earned one Olympic gold medal at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang and three Olympic silver medals at the 2010 Vancouver, 2014 Sochi, and 2022 Beijing Games. Knight has also been integral to the U.S. team's dominance at the IIHF World Women's Championships, contributing to ten gold-medal victories in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023, and 2025, marking a record number of world titles for any hockey player.

References

  1. https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/47336635/2026-olympics-hilary-knight-remains-face-us-women-hockey
  2. https://www.hilary-knight.com/
  3. https://teamusa.usahockey.com/202324rivalryseriesroster-hilaryknight
  4. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/hilary-knight
  5. https://www.redbull.com/ca-en/athlete/us-ice-hockey-athlete-hilary-knight
  6. https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/879351
  7. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/367043/hilary-knight
  8. https://www.redbull.com/us-en/athlete/us-ice-hockey-athlete-hilary-knight
  9. https://uwbadgers.com/honors/uw-athletic-hall-of-fame/hilary-knight/291
  10. https://uwbadgers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/hilary-knight/7712
  11. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2025/3/1/womens-hockey-o-brien-rewrites-record-books-as-badgers-punch-ticket-for-wcha-final-faceoff.aspx
  12. https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/player/13/1/hilary-knight
  13. https://teamusa.usahockey.com/202526rivalryseriesroster-hilaryknight
  14. https://view.ceros.com/lee/wi-legends-hilary-knight
  15. https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/player/13/5/hilary-knight
  16. https://thehockeywriters.com/elite-of-womens-hockey-battle-for-clarkson-cup/
  17. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/hilary-knight-talks-clarkson-cup-likeagirl/
  18. https://insidetherink.com/player-profile-hilary-knight/
  19. https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/seattle-torrent/news/2025/november/14/seattle-torrent-name-hilary-knight-as-first-ever-captain
  20. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/looking-back-and-looking-ahead-usa-olympic-ice-hockey-legend-hilary-knight
  21. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/hilary-knight
  22. https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-hilaryknight
  23. https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/hilary-knight-805214
  24. https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/hilary-knight-meet-athlete
  25. https://www.olympics.com/athlete365/news/milano-cortina-2026/hilary-knight-going-for-gold-at-my-final-olympic-winter-games
  26. https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/athlete-details/25121
  27. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/hilary-knight-breaks-career-record-for-iihf-women-world-championship-assists
  28. https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/19026627/usa-hockey-us-women-national-team-reach-agreement-avoid-boycott
  29. https://www.redbull.com/us-en/theredbulletin/hilary-knight-and-laila-edwards-interview
  30. https://www.lakeplacidnews.com/sports/local-sports/2023/08/10/hilary-knight-powers-womens-hockey-on-and-off-the-ice/
  31. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwha-womens-hockey-boycott-1.5354942
  32. https://www.espn.com/espnw/article/11158589/us-women-national-hockey-team-forward-hilary-knight-gets-naked-espn-magazine-body-issue
  33. https://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/26632563/hilary-knight-happy-face-women-hockey-united-states
  34. https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37773525/usa-hilary-knight-1st-iihf-female-player-year
  35. https://www.boston.com/sports/olympics/2018/02/27/ellen-degeneres-permanently-honored-the-gold-medal-winning-u-s-womens-hockey-team/
  36. https://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/the-buzz/article/22642610/hilary-knight-steals-show-snl-shows-migos-real-gold-looks-like
  37. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6198052/
  38. https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1340058
  39. https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1227712
  40. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2014/5/22/Knight_named_Bob_Allen_Women_s_Player_of_the_Year
  41. https://www.iihf.com/en/news/45458/hilary_knight_wins_the_inagural_iihf_female_player
  42. https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/player/13/2/hilary-knight
  43. https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/boston-pride-win-inaugural-nwhl-isobel-cup-with-sweep-of-buffalo-beauts
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.