In a significant move for women’s professional hockey, PWHL Seattle has officially signed forward Hilary Knight as their first-ever player.
The agreement, which is a one-year deal, was reached on Wednesday night after Knight was left unprotected by the Boston Fleet during the league’s expansion process.
General Manager Meghan Turner expressed her excitement about the signing, stating, “Signing Hilary Knight was an absolute no-brainer – she’s the heartbeat of any team she joins.”
She continued, “Her proven leadership and drive, the way she elevates everyone around her, those are qualities you can’t teach. Hilary’s not just a game-changer on the ice, she’s the kind of person who defines a culture, and we’re incredibly proud to have her as the first-ever player to join PWHL Seattle.”
Knight has an illustrious career, having participated in four Olympic Games and 15 IIHF Women’s World Championships for the United States.
Her achievements include one Olympic gold medal, three silvers, ten World Championship golds, and five silvers.
Before taking over as the general manager of PWHL Seattle last month, Turner served as the assistant general manager for the Fleet for two seasons.
As Knight was left unprotected, the Fleet opted to protect forward Alina Müller, defender Megan Keller, and goaltender Aerin Frankel instead.
This week, both Seattle and Vancouver are allowed to sign up to five players who are not under contract for the upcoming season, prior to the expansion draft set for June 9.
The new teams can then select players from the non-protected list of remaining teams, with a goal of reaching a 12-player maximum roster.
Securing Knight as the first player is a landmark milestone for the newly established franchise in Seattle.
At 35 years old, Knight had an impressive season, co-winning the PWHL Points Leader Award last season while playing for the Fleet.
She accumulated 29 points comprised of 15 goals and 14 assists over 30 games, tying her with Sarah Fillier of the New York Sirens for the points title.
In addition to this accolade, she has been nominated for both the PWHL Forward of the Year and Billie Jean King MVP awards.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Knight said, “I’m incredibly proud to be part of bringing professional women’s hockey to the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle holds a special place in my heart, and I’m beyond excited to join PWHL Seattle in such a storied sports city.
I’m grateful to Meghan Turner for believing in me and bringing me on board as part of this new chapter.
To my teammates, the staff, and the fans of Boston –– thank you.
The Fleet wasn’t just a team, it was home.
These past two seasons were some of the most meaningful of my career, and I’ll carry those memories with me forever.”
Knight has already made a name for herself in Seattle, having played there multiple times with both the Fleet and the U.S. Women’s National Team.
One of her recent notable performances was during the PWHL Takeover Tour, where the Fleet faced off against the Montréal Victoire at Climate Pledge Arena in January, winning the match 3-2 in a shootout.
She also showcased her skills in a 2022-23 Rivalry Series game against Canada at the same arena, recording two goals and one assist in a 4-2 victory.
As the all-time leader in goals, assists, and points in IIHF Women’s World Championships, and holding the record for the most Olympic Games played by a U.S. women’s hockey player, Knight’s signing undoubtedly sets a positive tone for PWHL Seattle’s inaugural efforts.
The information for this article comes from The Associated Press.
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