“It’s wild,” Knight says. “I’m very grateful to have been in the sport for so long at this level. I’ve had some great teammates and I have some great teammates at the moment and to be in these high-performance rooms is just outstanding. And there’s really nothing like it. So, [I’m] grateful from that point of view and to then also be able to share the journey with my friends and family.
The current Seattle Torrent captain and forward started her Olympic journey by winning silver medals in Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi in 2014. In 2018, she helped Team USA capture gold in PyeongChang and claimed another silver medal in Beijing in 2022.
Knight is currently the only American women’s hockey player to have competed in five consecutive Olympic Games. In May 2025, she announced that this would be the last time she would play on the ice, and she feels good about it.
“When I have moments of reflection, I feel really peaceful and calm about it,” Knight explains.
“I can’t wait to get out there and just start competing, go through the processing and do all the fun stuff and get started.”
Although she is a veteran of the sport, the Olympic jitters are as present today as they were during her first competitions 16 years ago.
“No, no less nerve-wracking!” Knight says laughing. “You understand the sport so well that you think, ‘Oh my God!’ You are more alert to different things. But no, I would say the excitement is still there, just like the first time, and it has never diminished. And so I think that’s been one of my personal things, as long as I’m still hungry and I can still contribute to the game, I’ll keep playing and it’s been fun. It was such a wild ride in the best way.”
A change in mentality before performing on the biggest stage in the world
While the emotions of competing on perhaps the biggest athletics stage in the world are present, Knight does her best to stay present.
“I think the nerves will always be there,” Knight continues. “I’m trying to focus or shift that energy more toward excitement versus nervousness. And for me, that’s an important distinction if I can do that and really get up and be kind of alert, versus kind of wanting to dictate what’s going on out there and create a presence. I think it can really consume you if you’re not controlling or trying to figure out your energies appropriately.”
The PWHL is currently in season, so while the league takes a break to allow its star players to shine abroad on behalf of Team USA, Knight’s routine will see some additional adjustments.
“I do little things on the phone,” Knight says. “Like logging out of different things and keeping them very separate. I’m very intentional about my time and not using it. I will say that the amount of attention I want to give to each thing is crazy, and so I really have to be mindful of how I spend that energy.”
Knight in the past served as alternate team captain for the 2022 gamesbut this year she will lead the team, but she is dropping the word “alternative” from her title.
“When I think about these two teams, on one side I have Torrent,” Knight said. “It’s the first year. We’re in a new market. It’s exciting. There’s all these things going on. There’s a lot of energy, but it needs to be done there. And then Team USA, it’s an Olympic year. February is the biggest stage. We have a lot of young faces, new faces, so it’s a big task, but I’m honored to do it.”
And while Knight has done all the physical training on the ice, mentally she is heading into her final Games a little differently thanks to her previous experience.
“I think you still have to prepare so that you still have an impact,” said Knight, who partnered with Hershey’s to celebrate the anniversary. Happiness is the real gold campaign along with the limited edition chocolate medals. “But I think we’ve been doing this for so long that it would take a lot to train down at this point. So now you’re really refining things, and I think, given my training age, I have a better understanding of what I need. I just know my body better, which can be great and sometimes annoying.”
As Knight prepares to board her final flight as an Olympian, she takes her leadership role seriously and does her best to help the team bring home gold.
“I just want to make sure everyone feels comfortable enough to perform at their best,” Knight said. “I think it’s just that simple. Our culture is so strong in that room that it’s a great foundation for us. You trust everyone [that[ they’re doing what they need to do, so when we get together, we’re gonna be awesome. That’s always a reassuring thing that everyone at this level is an adult and a pro in their own way to take care of themselves. I’m always here for advice, storytelling, if anything’s crazy, and [a] support system.”
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