Hilary Knight may have completed her final Olympic Games, but she is not ready to leave professional ice hockey.
The Team USA captain recently opened up with People about the three conditions that will help her determine when it is time to retire from the sport.
Hilary discussed the future of her career during Flavor Flav’s SHE Weekend at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas in July.
“My whole thing is that I have to continue to love what I do, I have to have an impact, and I have to do it in a way that is authentic to me,” she told People.
As long as those three conditions are being fulfilled, Hilary appears open to continuing her career.
“If those three things are being fulfilled, who knows?” she said.
The athlete’s comments came several months after she helped the United States women’s ice hockey team win a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Her Final Olympic Appearance
Hilary confirmed in 2025 that the Milan Games would be her fifth and final Olympics.
“It’s time,” she told USA Today at the time. “I have grown up in this program, and it’s just given me so much. I’m at peace.”
Hilary said she felt fortunate to end her Olympic career on her own terms.
Her final appearance became even more memorable when Team USA defeated Canada in overtime to win the gold medal. It was Hilary’s second Olympic gold and fifth medal overall.
The experience also held special meaning because her friends and family could attend. Spectators were restricted during the previous Winter Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“To share that experience again was so special,” Hilary said.
Hilary Is Continuing Professionally
Although Hilary has retired from Olympic competition, she will continue playing in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
PWHL Detroit acquired the forward from PWHL Las Vegas in June. She was already under contract for the 2026-2027 season when the trade occurred.
Hilary subsequently signed a two-year extension that will keep her with Detroit through the 2028-2029 season, the team announced.
The contract gives Hilary an opportunity to continue competing professionally while helping establish Detroit’s new PWHL franchise.
Resilience Defined Her Career
When asked which principle stands out from her career, Hilary pointed to perseverance.
“Honestly, standing up more times than I got knocked down,” she said. “It’s as simple as that.”
Hilary has played professionally across the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, National Women’s Hockey League and PWHL.
She has also spent much of her career advocating for stronger professional opportunities, improved resources and more equitable treatment for women athletes.
“There are so many things we go through as women athletes that are difficult, just by design, and because of where women’s sports are right now,” she explained.
Her Impact Extends Beyond Winning
Hilary said she is proud that she has continued showing up and attempting to improve the sport for the athletes following her.
“We’re trying to reduce and eliminate barriers and create more spaces for us, with more equitable support,” she said.
After ending her Olympic career with another gold medal, Hilary now has an opportunity to help shape the next era of professional women’s hockey. Her eventual retirement will depend on passion, impact and authenticity. For now, her new contract makes one thing clear: Hilary still has more she wants to accomplish on the ice.
