Hilary Knight Bio
Hilary Atwood Knight (born July 12, 1989) is an American ice hockey forward and captain for the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She is also captain of the United States women’s national ice hockey team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in women’s hockey history, Knight holds numerous records and has been a dominant force in both international and professional hockey for nearly two decades. With the US national team, Knight has won ten gold medals at the IIHF World Women’s Championship—the most ever by any hockey player—and holds the tournament records for goals, assists and points. She is a four-time Olympic medalist winning gold in 2018 and silver in 2010, 2014, and 2022. In 2023, she became the first player in IIHF World Women’s Championship history to surpass 100 career points and was named the inaugural recipient of the IIHF Female Player of the Year award. She has earned multiple tournament MVP honors, including at the 2015 and 2016 World Championships, where she was also named Best Forward and leading scorer.
Early Life and Background
Hilary Atwood Knight was born on July 12, 1989, in Sun Valley, Idaho, to Cynthia and Jim Knight. She has three younger brothers. When Hilary was five, the family moved to Lake Forest, Illinois, where she began playing ice hockey and played on boys’ teams. The family later moved to Hanover, New Hampshire. From an early age, Hilary was determined to reach the Olympics. As a young child, she told her grandmother, “I’m going to the Olympics,” and wrote a book for a second-grade school project about a girl with a magical hockey stick who achieved that dream. She honed her skills by watching NHL players and emulating their hand and footwork, creating difficult challenges and targets in the family garage to improve her puck control. As a high schooler, Hilary attended Choate Rosemary Hall, a private boarding school in Connecticut with a renowned hockey program. When the national team visited the school in 2005, it strengthened her Olympic aspirations.
Path to Hockey
Knight attended the University of Wisconsin, where she played for the Badgers from 2007 to 2012. Her 143 career goals are the most by any men’s or women’s player at the university. Knight helped lead the Badgers to two NCAA titles in 2009 and 2011. During her freshman season from 2007–2008, Knight ranked second on the team in goals and tied for fifth in assists. She ranked seventh in the nation in points per game for rookies and game-winning goals. In her sophomore year, Knight led the NCAA in goal scoring and points, becoming the new Badgers record-holder for points, goals, and power-play goals in one season. Over her college career, she accumulated numerous accolades and became a prominent figure in women’s collegiate hockey.
Hilary Knight Career
Early Career (2006–2012)
Hilary Knight began her professional career after being selected fourth overall by the Boston Blades in the 2012 CWHL Draft. In her rookie season, she recorded 32 points in 24 games, helping the Blades capture both the regular season championship and the Clarkson Cup. Knight became the first American-born player to win the CWHL’s Most Valuable Player Award and was the leading scorer in the postseason. Over her three seasons with the Blades, she totaled 29 goals and 33 assists in 41 regular-season games.
Breakthrough (2012–2018)
In 2015, Knight moved to the Boston Pride of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL), where she scored the team’s first goal in its inaugural game. She continued to excel, becoming the NWHL’s first-ever scoring champion and playing a central role in capturing the inaugural Isobel Cup. Knight’s performance in the league’s All-Star festivities further solidified her status as a premier player. In 2018, she signed with Les Canadiennes de Montreal, where she continued to showcase her skills and leadership, contributing significantly during the playoffs.
Notable Works and Milestones
Knight’s signature work includes her contributions to the U.S. national team, where she has won multiple gold medals and set records in international play. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the IIHF Female Player of the Year in 2023.
Hilary Knight Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Hilary Knight has received various nominations for her outstanding contributions to women’s hockey, including multiple nominations for player of the year awards and recognition as a top performer in international competitions.
Hilary Knight Awards Won
Hilary Knight has won several prestigious awards, including the CWHL Most Valuable Player in 2013, the USA Hockey Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year in 2022, and the IIHF Female Player of the Year in 2023.
Hilary Knight Family
Hilary Knight is in a relationship with USA speed skater Brittany Bowe. The couple began dating in December 2022 after meeting at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. They have since purchased a home together and enjoy training and spending time together.
Personal Life
Knight is a member of the queer community and has been open about her identity, using her platform to advocate for visibility and representation in sports. She has also been involved in various leadership roles within women’s hockey, including serving on the executive committee of the PWHL Players Association.
