American · Harbor Springs, USA · Born 12 July 1989Hilary Knight is an American forward and captain of the U.S. women's national team, a multiple Olympic medalist and record IIHF World Championship gold medalist.
Hilary Atwood Knight was born on 12 July 1989 in Palo Alto, California, and moved with her family to Lake Forest, Illinois, at five, where her mother enrolled her and her three younger brothers in junior hockey, sparking a passion that led her to write a second-grade school project about a girl with a magical hockey stick who went to the Olympics. Knight starred at the University of Wisconsin, winning two national championships and being named NCAA Tournament MVP in 2011, before developing into one of the most decorated and recognisable players in the history of American women's hockey. Knight has represented the United States at five Olympic Winter Games, winning gold in 2018 and three silver medals, and has won ten IIHF Women's World Championship gold medals across 15 tournament appearances, becoming captain of the U.S. national team in 2023. Knight helped found the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association alongside teammates including Kendall Coyne Schofield, work that contributed to the eventual launch of the Professional Women's Hockey League, where she became the first captain in Boston franchise history before moving to the Seattle Torrent. She is openly a member of the LGBTQ+ community and has been in a relationship with American speed skater Brittany Bowe since 2022.
One of the most decorated players in U.S. women's hockey history
How They Played
Knight is an elite goal scorer with exceptional shooting accuracy and a powerful wrist shot. She combines strong hockey intelligence with excellent positioning in the offensive zone, making her a constant threat around the net.
Lasting Impact
Knight has been instrumental in raising the profile of women's professional hockey and advocating for better opportunities and compensation for female players.
Career Honours
- 2x Olympic gold medalist (2018, 2026)
- 3x Olympic silver medalist (2010, 2014, 2022)
- 10x IIHF World Championship gold
- IIHF Female Player of the Year (2023, inaugural)
| Team | Period | GP |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Whitecaps | 2018–2019 | — |
| Boston Pride | 2015–2018 | — |
| Boston College Eagles | 2007–2012 | — |
 USA | — | 312 |
American Athletes