A veteran of the U.S. women's national team is challenging her nation's governing body of hockey after its non-committal response to the players' threat to boycott the upcoming World Championship over what they deem are unfair wages.
"Good luck getting a suitable No. 1 competition to represent our country on a world stage," Hilary Knight said, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press. "I kind of dare them."
Knight, along with team captain Meghan Duggan, announced earlier Wednesday that the team won't report to training camp next week or play in the World Championship later this month, unless meaningful progress is made in negotiations the players claim have been stalled for over a year.
"We were sick of sitting around the same table and discussing the same issues and getting upset over the same pettiness," Knight added Wednesday night.
USA Hockey's response to the players' initial statement cited its increased funding and support ahead of the 2018 Olympic Games, but made it clear that it wouldn't treat the players as employees leading up to either event.
Management claimed each player could earn up to $85,000 at the Olympics in support stipends and medal incentives, but Duggan denied that any such offer was made, calling the statement "misleading and dishonest."
"It's an example of them kind of disregarding anything that we're asking and basically disregarding our request to be under contract for a four-year period and any of that," Duggan said Wednesday night, adding that while USA Hockey is promising to cover travel and insurance expenses, the female players want to be compensated on the same level as the men.
Knight has represented the U.S. since 2006, and Duggan has done so since 2007.
