Hilary Knight to end illustrious Olympic career at 2026 Games

The 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina will be legendary American forward Hilary Knight's last, she announced Tuesday.

"It's time," Knight told USA Today Sports' Nancy Armour. "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."

The 2026 Games will be the fifth of Knight's illustrious career. She won gold at the 2018 Olympics and has also won three silver medals. The 35-year-old ranks seventh in all-time Olympic women's hockey scoring with 12 goals and 27 points in 22 games, and she ranks second to Jenny Potter among Americans.

Knight captained the United States to gold at the World Championship in April. She's the all-time leader at the event in goals (67), assists (53), and points (120) and has captured 10 gold medals.

Knight's coming off a bounce-back campaign in the PWHL with the Boston Fleet. She tallied 15 goals and 29 points to finish in a tie for the league's scoring lead and was named a finalist for Forward of the Year.

The Fleet captain intends to continue playing in the PWHL after her international career ends. Her current contract expires after the 2025-26 season.

Knight has come to terms with ending her Olympic career, and she has a singular goal in mind for 2026.

"It took me a while, but I think I'm very much so at peace with it," Knight said. "I've had an incredible career at the Olympic stage. And (in Milan), I will have the same mission and the same purpose, and that's to win an Olympic gold."