Last year, Hilary Knight’s younger brother, Remington, cracked a joke about heading to Italy for his fifth Olympics at 36. She just chuckled and replied, “Yeah, Remy, that can’t be true.”
This lighthearted banter comes as Knight has been contemplating retirement and the possibility of competing in the 2026 Olympics. She worked through this question while sitting on a couch in Boston back in the fall of 2024, and ultimately decided to take it on.
Months later, the four-time Olympic medalist recognized the privilege of competing on her own terms in what would be her fifth Olympic Games, a milestone for any U.S. hockey player, male or female.
“I think it’s pretty rare for athletes to have that opportunity,” Knight shared in a phone interview. “It feels empowering, but not everyone gets to shape their own ending. There’s always a deadline, and it felt right for me to make this my final appearance.”
She plans to continue playing as the captain of the new Seattle Trent team in the PWHL, with an eye on the IIHF World Championship in 2027.
Though partially retired, Knight remains among the world’s top hockey players. In April 2025, she snagged her 10th gold medal at the World Championships, tallying nine points over seven games and setting career records for goals, assists, and total points.
During the 2025 Rivalry Series, she scored five goals, contributing to the U.S. team’s first tournament victory. In her initial season with Trent, she ranks seventh in assists and 15th in points, having previously led the league in scoring the year before.
Now at 36, Knight is set to participate in her fifth Olympics with the U.S. women’s hockey team.
While she may not be at her peak, there’s no doubt she’s aiming for a fifth medal, tying an Olympic record held by Canadian stars Jayna Hefford and Hayley Wickenheiser.
“Don’t rule anything out, okay?” she advised.
As she prepares for Milan, Knight reflects on her journey. At just 20, she was the youngest on the team that won silver in Vancouver, and now she’ll be the oldest member of a younger U.S. squad.
“Why do my teammates have to retire so soon?” she wondered years ago. But now she has accepted her role and answers countless questions—from her game prep to what shoes she’ll take to the Olympics. And she’s become more active on social media, especially Snapchat.
U.S. goalie Aeryn Frankel remarked on Knight’s significance to the team, saying, “She goes out of her way to connect with everyone, and she’s made history in so many ways. It’s exciting to go to the Olympics with her, especially since it’s her last one.”
As Knight transitions, she’ll be passing the torch in various ways. Since joining Team USA at 17, she’s become a pivotal figure in promoting women’s hockey to a broader audience.
The upcoming two weeks in Milan represent her final opportunity to leave a lasting mark as a player, and she feels the weight of that.
“I don’t know what life would be like without being around the national team,” she said. “Being an ambassador for the game is a big part of who I am.”
When asked who might carry on her legacy, she mentioned young talents like Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, and Abbey Murphy—all poised to leave their own marks.
Knight believes that the young U.S. team will draw international attention and diverse playing styles, ultimately encouraging more women to take up hockey and elevating the sport as a whole.
As her Olympic career approaches its end, she finds hope in the development of her teammates and in the growth of women’s hockey.
“There are many young faces out there,” Knight noted. “When we unite, that’s what makes us special. … I’m eager to see the future of women’s hockey.”
Her primary aspiration for her fifth Olympics? To win that gold medal. Yet, amidst the myriad of experiences the Olympics brings, it’s hard to pinpoint just what’s most thrilling for her.
At this stage, for Knight, it all feels like it means “everything.”
