‘We Play to Win Gold’: Hilary Knight Leads Team USA Women’s Hockey at Her Final Olympics
Legend Hilary Knight leads Team USA in her fifth—and final—Olympic hockey quest for gold.
In just a few short days, everyone’s eyes will be on the most accomplished athletes from across the globe, and as we prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics, there are a handful of individuals who make us beam with pride. From Lindsey Vonn’s historic comeback in spite of a painful knee injury to Maxim Naumov’s determination in spite of tragedy, Team USA is packed to the brim with talent—and many of our athletes have competed on the Olympic stage countless times. In the age of Heated Rivalry and hockey romance, the world has been captivated by hockey the arena affectionately dubbed as the “boy aquarium,” but what about the ladies leaving their mark on the sport over the years? The Team USA women’s national ice hockey team has been proving that they’ve got the same grit as their male counterparts, and leading them this year is Hilary Knight, one of the sport’s finest players. Read all about her life in the sport and what it means to her to serve as captain, representing Team USA for the fifth time in this year’s Olympics.
Hilary Knight will serve as captain of the Team USA women’s hockey team
Hilary Knight was chosen to lead Team USA on the ice, and she’s ready to bring home the gold. Hailing from Sun Valley, Idaho, the 36-year-old hockey star will head to the Olympics for the fifth time this year after a long and illustrious career in the sport. In past Olympics, Knight has brought home three silver medals and one gold—something most athletes could only dream of. When she isn’t representing Team USA, she serves as captain of the Seattle Torrent, a part of the PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League).
As she prepares to hit the ice on the world stage, Knight is excited for what this competition will hold and is ready to give it all alongside her teammates. “Whenever we sign up to play for Team USA, it’s to win a gold medal, and that mindset hasn’t changed,” Hilary shared at the US Olympic and Paralympic media summit back in October as reported by USA Today. “If you can get to the Olympics first, that’s a cherishable moment in itself. If you can get on a podium, that’s a huge honor. And then, if you can win a gold medal, it’s equal in honor. I think we have such a fantastic team. I want our legacy to be cemented on that world stage and I want people to know the names that are in the room and part of that is winning a gold medal.”
Last year, Knight shared that 2026 will be her final Olympics—so it makes sense that she wants to go out with a bang. “I wouldn’t have been able to have such a fantastic education without hockey, being able to go to the University of Wisconsin and fulfill that dream there, travel the world. It’s crazy where sport can take you and I am so, so grateful for this entire journey,” she told NBC. While she might be retiring from the Olympics, she isn’t yet stepping away from the sport and will continue to play for the PWHL and hopes to represent the United States in future championships.
Olympic hockey schedule
Before long, you can tune in and cheer on Hilary and Team USA with the rest of the country when the Olympic Games kick off this week. While the Opening Ceremony will take place on February 6 and the Games officially last until February 22, some events have started early. Team USA’s women’s ice hockey team will go up against Czechia in a preliminary round tomorrow and continue their run on Saturday against Finland. For the full Olympic Games ice hockey schedule, click here.
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