Hilary Knight, the renowned U.S. women’s hockey player, is preparing to compete in her fifth Olympic Games in Milan in 2026 at the age of 36. This milestone would make her the first American hockey player, male or female, to reach five Olympic appearances. The prospect emerged after months of uncertainty during which Knight weighed her options about retirement and the possibility of one final Olympic run.
Last year, Knight’s younger brother Remington joked about her attending another Olympics in Italy. At first, she dismissed the idea, but over time the notion gained significance. In a reflective moment on her Boston couch in fall 2024, Knight decided to embrace the chance to control how her career concludes and set her sights on completing this historic achievement.
As an athlete, I think it’s super rare to be able to go out on your own terms,
Knight said in a phone interview.
I think that is a very empowering and powerful thing and not everyone has the opportunity to do it. At some point there is an expiration date to everything and it just felt aligned and natural that the fifth Games would be that for me.
Ongoing Leadership Role and Performance Outside the Olympics
Even amid plans for partial retirement, Knight remains a dominant figure in women’s hockey. She continues playing as captain for the expansion Seattle Torrent in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and has expressed ambitions to compete at the IIHF World Championships in 2027. Her recent performances underscore her enduring talent, despite no longer being at her statistical peak.
In April 2025, Knight helped secure her 10th world championship gold medal, setting career records in goals (67), assists (53), and total points (120) at the event. During the 2025 Rivalry Series against Canada, she scored five goals, contributing to the United States completing its first-ever clean sweep of the tournament. With the Torrent, Knight ranks seventh in assists and 15th in points for the season, following a prior year in which she led the league in scoring.
Chasing a fifth Olympic medal, Knight has the opportunity to tie Canadians Jayna Hefford and Hayley Wickenheiser’s record for most Olympic hockey medals won by a player. Maintaining her competitiveness, she remains a vital presence on the ice.
Don’t rule out anything, you know?
Knight remarked regarding her future achievements.
Transitioning from Youngest to Veteran Leader on Team USA
Knight’s journey brings her full circle as she prepares for Milan. At 20 years old, she was the youngest member of the 2010 Vancouver team that earned a silver medal. Now, she will be the oldest player on a youthful American squad. This role reversal has had a profound impact on her perspective and responsibilities within the team.
Four years ago, stepping into the leadership ‘big sister’ role was new and challenging. Reflecting on those early experiences, Knight recalled,
I was like oh my gosh, why did my other teammates have to retire so early?
Today, she embraces this position fully, managing numerous aspects of team life from hockey strategy to seemingly small details such as coordinating what teammates pack for the Games. Her communication style has evolved, with increased use of social platforms like Snapchat to connect with younger teammates.
U.S. goalie Aerin Frankel praised Knight’s leadership qualities:
She means so much to each and every one of us. She’s a really great leader,
Frankel said.
She always goes out of her way to make relationships with every single person on the team and she obviously etched her name in the history books for so many reasons. I always say about her how great of a person she is and getting to know her has been awesome. I’m really excited to go to the Olympics with her and I know it’s going to be an extra special one for her with it being her last one but I think it’s just so much excitement right now.
Legacy as Ambassador and Catalyst for Women’s Hockey Growth
Since joining Team USA at 17, shortly after the 2006 Olympic cycle, Knight has been more than a player; she has been a central figure advocating for women’s hockey. Her efforts have expanded the sport’s audience and pushed for changes that elevate women’s participation and visibility.
She acknowledges the significance of carrying this mantle and the lasting impact of representing the sport on such a global stage. Knight explained,
I guess I’ve never really understood anything differently. … I grew up through the U.S. national team and so I don’t know life without that really, having that exposure and having the responsibility of being an ambassador for the game and trying to also play but being a part of something bigger than yourself as well. It’s very natural and part of the territory I guess.
Looking ahead to the future generation, Knight identified promising young players poised to continue her legacy, including 23-year-old defenseman Caroline Harvey, 22-year-old defenseman Laila Edwards, and 23-year-old forward Abbey Murphy. Except for Edwards, all have Olympic experience, underscoring the depth of the emerging U.S. women’s hockey talent.
Knight is optimistic about how this youthful group will inspire international spectators and expand the sport’s reach. She foresees this exposure leading to higher participation rates among young women, better funding for programs, and an overall enhancement in skill level.
She expressed reassurance in the sport’s direction, stating,
There are so many young faces that just have it,
Knight said.
I think that’s just what makes us so special when we come together. … I’m really excited for where women’s hockey is in its entirety right now.
The Pursuit of Olympic Gold as a Capstone to Illustrious Career
The foremost objective for Hilary Knight at her fifth Olympics is to capture a gold medal, the pinnacle achievement she has long sought. Beyond competition, she finds profound meaning in all aspects of the Olympic experience, including the subtleties and traditions that often go unseen by spectators.
As the Games approach, Knight reflects on how much these moments mean to her, emphasizing that every detail surrounding her final Olympic journey holds deep personal significance.
