USA Hockey Star Hilary Knight announces retirement

(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

It doesn’t have to be a gameday for USA hockey phenom Hilary Knight to be in the news.

Few players in women’s hockey can be mentioned in the same breath as Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin — but Hilary Knight is an exception.

Today, the legendary American forward announced that the
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2026 Milan Olympics will be her final appearance with the U.S. national team. This will mark the end of a storied career spanning nearly two decades.

Knight has been the face of USA female hockey for many years, earning the respect of teammates and opponents. Wherever she is, whether on or off the ice, success seems to follow. 

​She was pivotal in launching the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in 2023. As captain of the Boston Fleet, she finished this season tied with Sarah Fillier of the New York Sirens for the league lead in points with 29. 

Earlier this year, the 35-year-old led Team USA to a gold-medal win over Canada at the 2024 World Championship, registering nine points. In an interview with USA Today Sports, Knight confirmed her intention to step away after the 2026 Games.

“It’s time,” she said. “I’ve grown up in this program — it’s given me so much. I’m at peace. I just feel it’s the right moment. Hopefully, I can stay healthy, and if so, I’ll get to finish on my own terms.”

One of the most decorated careers in sports history, Knight will be hard to forget. A native of Palo Alto, California, she helped the U.S. win its second Olympic gold medal in 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. She has also earned 10 gold medals and five silver medals at the IIHF World Championships and three Olympic silver medals. 

Knight and Team USA are expected to be strong contenders for gold in Italy.

“There’s something special about the grind — putting the most vulnerable parts of yourself out there, working together as a team, and navigating the highs and lows before and during a tournament,” Knight told USA Today. “Those are the memories that will stay with me.”
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As she prepares for one final Olympic journey, Knight leaves behind a legacy defined not only by titles and statistics but by leadership, resilience, and a lasting impact on the future of women’s hockey.