Hilary Knight Announces Final Olympic Appearance at 2026 Games

Los Angeles, CA – Hilary Knight, one of the top female hockey players in history, announced on May 20, 2025, that the 2026 Olympics in Milan will be her final Olympic appearance. The 36-year-old Boston Fleet forward shared her decision during an interview with USA Today.

“It’s time,” Knight stated. “I have grown up in this program and it’s just given me so much. I’m at peace. And I’m grateful that, hopefully, I can stay healthy, I can go out when I’d like to be done. That is such a privilege.”

Knight, who debuted with Team USA as a 17-year-old in 2006, has achieved a remarkable career. She has won a gold medal in the 2018 Olympics and three silver medals from previous Games. She is celebrated for her goal-scoring prowess, holding all-time records for goals, assists, and points in women’s world championship play.

In 2023, Knight received the IIHF’s first-ever Female Player of the Year honor. This past PWHL season, she tied for the league lead with 29 points in 30 games, further cementing her status as a top player. Though she will step down from international competition after the 2026 Olympics, Knight plans to continue playing at the professional level in the PWHL.

As she prepares for her fifth Olympic Games, Knight is focused on winning another gold medal. “I’ve had an incredible career at the Olympic stage,” she remarked. “And in Milan, I will have the same mission and the same purpose: to win an Olympic gold.”

If the U.S. team earns a medal in Milan, Knight will make history as the most decorated American female hockey player with five Olympic medals.