
USA hockey's Hilary Knight plans to make 2026 Milan final Olympics appearance
Hilary Knight, one of the most decorated female hockey players in the history of the sport, plans to make the 2026 Milan Olympics her fifth and final appearance at the event.
'It's time,' Knight told USA TODAY Sports. 'I have grown up in this program and it's just given me so much. I'm at peace. I just have this feeling that it's time. And I'm grateful that — hopefully I can stay healthy and everything — I can go out when I'd like to be done. That is such a privilege that only a handful of competitors get.'
Knight, 35, is still one of the best women's hockey players in the world. She led the PWHL in scoring this season (29 points) and was recently named a finalist for Forward of the Year.
GO DEEPER
After an uneven first PWHL season and 'a lot of struggles,' Hilary Knight is back
At women's world championships back in April, Knight led Team USA in scoring en route to her record-10th gold medal at the tournament. She also broke the all-time assist record at women's worlds, where she was already the all-time goals (67) and points (120) leader at the tournament.
Knight still plans to play in the PWHL after Milan, according to USA Today. And she could continue playing with Team USA — where she's been captain since 2023 — at worlds. But Knight does not intend to play all the way through to the next Olympic cycle in 2030.
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Knight currently has four Olympic medals, which is tied for the most by an American woman. Should the U.S. win a medal in Milan, Knight will become the most decorated American women's hockey player and the only five-time Olympian in U.S. women's hockey history.
'I've had an incredible career at the Olympic stage,' Knight said in the interview. 'And (in Milan) I will have the same mission and the same purpose, and that's to win an Olympic gold.'

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