Hilary Knight breaks US Olympic records with clutch goal vs Canada
Story by
Hilary Knight breaks US Olympic records with clutch goal vs Canada
Mike Brehm, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
·
3 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Team USA star Hilary Knight is ending her Olympic career as the all-time U.S. leader in goals and points by doing what she does best, scoring a clutch goal at a clutch time.
And she is going home a winner after Megan Keller scored in overtime as theUSA won goldwith a 2-1 victory against archrival Canada in Thursday's championship game.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Knight made that victory possible with a crucial goal, tipping in a Laila Edwards shot with 2:04 left in the third period to force overtime. It was her 15th career goal and 33rd career point, both U.S. Olympic records.
"No way," she told NBC after the game when informed about the record. "I'm just happy about the gold medal. Oh my gosh, this feels amazing."
The Team USA captain had tied the U.S. mark of 14 shared by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King when she scored against Finland on Feb. 7. She tied the points record with an assist on Feb. 10 against Canada in the preliminary round. She went two games without a point before scoring in the gold-medal game when it mattered most.
Knight was playing in her fifth andfinalOlympics. Knight, who first played in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, scored a goal in three of her seven games in Milan to give her three for the 2026 women's hockey tournament. She had goals in each of thelast three Olympic gold-medal games.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Here's a look at Hilary Knight's U.S. record and legendary career:
Watch Hilary Knight's record goal
How many Olympic goals and points does Hilary Knight have?
Knight has 15 goals, breaking the U.S. Olympic record shared by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King. She has 33 points, passing Jenny Potter for most by a U.S. player in Olympic history. Her 18 assists are three behind Potter's record of 21.
Where does Hilary Knight rank on all-time Olympic goals?
Hockey player Hilary Knight of the United States poses for a photo during a Team USA Photo Shoot at Sunset Glenoaks Studios on May 20, 2025 in Sun Valley, Calif. Knight has won NCAA, Olympic and World championships.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
Hilary Knight of the Wisconsin Badgers gets the puck past Johanna Ellison #1 of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to score a goal in the second period on March 20, 2009 during the NCAA WomenÕs Frozen Four at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
Hilary Knight of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates her goal against the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on March 20, 2009 during the NCAA WomenÕs Frozen Four at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
Jessie Vetter #30, Jasmine Giles #12, Erika Lawler, Hilary Knight (bottom right) and the rest of the Wisconsin Badgers pose with the championship trophy after they defeated the Mercyhurst Lakers on March 22, 2009 during the NCAA Women's Frozen Four Championship game at Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wisconsin Badgers shut out the Mercyhurst Lakers 5-0.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
USA's Hilary Knight (21) controls the puck against Sweden's Frida Nevalainen (3) during the women's semifinal of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics on Feb. 22, 2010.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY)
USA forward Hilary Knight celebrates her shootout goal against Canada in an exhibition hockey game at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. on Dec 28, 2013. USA defeated Canada 3-2 in a shootout.
(Brace Hemmelgarn, Imagn Images)
Team USA women's hockey forward Hilary Knight poses at a portrait session during the Team USA Media Summit at Canyons Grand Summit Hotel in Park City, Utah on Oct. 2, 2013.
(Russell Isabella, Imagn Images)
USA forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Switzerland in a women's preliminary round women's ice hockey game during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Shayba Arena on Feb. 10, 2014.
(Winslow Townson, Imagn Images)
Team USA hockey player Hilary Knight poses for a photo during the 2018 U.S. Olympic Summit at Grand Summit Hotel in Park City, Utah on Sep. 25, 2017.
(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)
United States forward Hilary Knight (21) scores a goal against Canada in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on Feb. 21, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea.
(James Lang, Imagn Images)
United States forward Hilary Knight (21) deflects the puck past Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados (1) for a goal during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung, South Korea on Feb. 22, 2018.
(Andrew Nelles, Imagn Images)
USA's Kendall Coyne (L) and Hilary Knight hold their gold medals and the US flag after the medal ceremony after the women's ice hockey event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung on February 22, 2018.
(JUNG YEON-JE, AFP via Getty Images)
USA forward Hilary Knight skates against Canada during the third period of a Rivalry Series women's hockey game at Leon's Centre on Nov. 21, 2021 in Kingston, Ontario.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
Team United States forward Hilary Knight (21) dives for a puck in front of Team Canada defender Claire Thompson (42) in the second period of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 8, 2022.
(George Walker IV, Imagn Images)
(L-R) Jincy Dunne #19, Megan Keller #5, Amanda Kessel #28, Jesse Compher #18, Abbey Murphy #37, Megan Bozek #9, Hilary Knight #21, Dani Cameranesi #24, Hayley Scamurra #16, Savannah Harmon #15 and their Team United States teammates huddle together at their net before the Group A Women's Preliminary Round ice hockey match between Team United States and Team Canada at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 8, 2022 in Beijing, China.
(Pool photo by Jonathan Ernst via Getty Images)
Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States puts her own rebound into the net for a shorthanded goal against Ann-Renee Desbiens #35 of Team Canada in the second period during the Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal match between Team Canada and Team United States on Day 13 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 17, 2022 in Beijing, China.
(Pool photo by Jonathan Ernst via Getty Images)
USA forward Hilary Knight (21) advances the puck against Canada during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena on Nov. 20, 2022 in Seattle, Wash. USA defeated Canada 4-2.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
USA captain Hilary Knight (12) stands in the middle of her team mates as they sing the national anthem after winning the gold medal match over Canada at CAA Center on April 16, 2023 in Brampton, Ontario.
(Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)
USA forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates with forward Alex Carpenter (25) after scoring a goal against Canada in the third period at CAA Center on April 16, 2023 in Brampton, Ontario.
(Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)
USA's Hilary Knight stays focused at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, NY on Saturday, April 6, 2024.
(Daniel DeLoach, Utica Observer-Dispatch via USA TODAY Network)
Team King forward Hilary Knight (21) goes to shoot the puck as Team Kloss defender Erin Ambrose (23)defends during the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena on Feb. 1, 2024 inToronto, Ontario.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
Boston forward Hilary Knight walks onto the ice before a PWHL ice hockey gam against Minnesota at the Tsongas Center on Jan. 3, 2024 in Lowell, Mass.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
Boston forward Hilary Knight skates onto the ice before a PWHL ice hockey game against Minnesota at the Tsongas Center on Jan. 3, 2024 in Lowell, Mass.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
(L-R) Taylor Girard, Hilary Knight, Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Nurse, Lexie Adzija and Taylor Heise attend the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, Calif.
(Frazer Harrison, Getty Images)
Hilary Knight of the U.S. celebrates with the trophy after winning the Gold Medal Game against Canada at the IIHF Women's World Championships in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic on April 20, 2025.
(David W Cerny, REUTERS)
Hilary Knight of Boston Fleet celebrates with fans after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Frost during the third period at Tsongas Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in Lowell, Mass. The Fleet defeat the Frost 4-2.
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
Hilary Knight of Boston Fleet looks on during the third period of the game against the Minnesota Frost at Tsongas Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in Lowell, Mass. The Fleet defeat the Frost 4-2.
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
Hilary Knight, captain of Team USA ice hockey and of the new PWHL expansion team in Seattle, throws the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers at T-Mobile Park on July 23, 2025 in Seattle, Wash.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
1/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Hockey player Hilary Knight of the United States poses for a photo during a Team USA Photo Shoot at Sunset Glenoaks Studios on May 20, 2025 in Sun Valley, Calif. Knight has won NCAA, Olympic and World championships.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
1/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Hockey player Hilary Knight of the United States poses for a photo during a Team USA Photo Shoot at Sunset Glenoaks Studios on May 20, 2025 in Sun Valley, Calif. Knight has won NCAA, Olympic and World championships.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
2/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Hilary Knight of the Wisconsin Badgers gets the puck past Johanna Ellison #1 of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to score a goal in the second period on March 20, 2009 during the NCAA WomenÕs Frozen Four at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
3/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Hilary Knight of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates her goal against the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on March 20, 2009 during the NCAA WomenÕs Frozen Four at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
4/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Jessie Vetter #30, Jasmine Giles #12, Erika Lawler, Hilary Knight (bottom right) and the rest of the Wisconsin Badgers pose with the championship trophy after they defeated the Mercyhurst Lakers on March 22, 2009 during the NCAA Women's Frozen Four Championship game at Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wisconsin Badgers shut out the Mercyhurst Lakers 5-0.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
5/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
USA's Hilary Knight (21) controls the puck against Sweden's Frida Nevalainen (3) during the women's semifinal of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics on Feb. 22, 2010.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY)
6/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
USA forward Hilary Knight celebrates her shootout goal against Canada in an exhibition hockey game at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. on Dec 28, 2013. USA defeated Canada 3-2 in a shootout.
(Brace Hemmelgarn, Imagn Images)
7/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Team USA women's hockey forward Hilary Knight poses at a portrait session during the Team USA Media Summit at Canyons Grand Summit Hotel in Park City, Utah on Oct. 2, 2013.
(Russell Isabella, Imagn Images)
8/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
USA forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Switzerland in a women's preliminary round women's ice hockey game during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Shayba Arena on Feb. 10, 2014.
(Winslow Townson, Imagn Images)
9/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Team USA hockey player Hilary Knight poses for a photo during the 2018 U.S. Olympic Summit at Grand Summit Hotel in Park City, Utah on Sep. 25, 2017.
(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)
10/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
United States forward Hilary Knight (21) scores a goal against Canada in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on Feb. 21, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea.
(James Lang, Imagn Images)
11/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
United States forward Hilary Knight (21) deflects the puck past Canada goaltender Shannon Szabados (1) for a goal during the first period in the women's ice hockey gold medal match during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung, South Korea on Feb. 22, 2018.
(Andrew Nelles, Imagn Images)
12/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
USA's Kendall Coyne (L) and Hilary Knight hold their gold medals and the US flag after the medal ceremony after the women's ice hockey event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung on February 22, 2018.
(JUNG YEON-JE, AFP via Getty Images)
13/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
USA forward Hilary Knight skates against Canada during the third period of a Rivalry Series women's hockey game at Leon's Centre on Nov. 21, 2021 in Kingston, Ontario.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
14/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Team United States forward Hilary Knight (21) dives for a puck in front of Team Canada defender Claire Thompson (42) in the second period of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 8, 2022.
(George Walker IV, Imagn Images)
15/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
(L-R) Jincy Dunne #19, Megan Keller #5, Amanda Kessel #28, Jesse Compher #18, Abbey Murphy #37, Megan Bozek #9, Hilary Knight #21, Dani Cameranesi #24, Hayley Scamurra #16, Savannah Harmon #15 and their Team United States teammates huddle together at their net before the Group A Women's Preliminary Round ice hockey match between Team United States and Team Canada at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 8, 2022 in Beijing, China.
(Pool photo by Jonathan Ernst via Getty Images)
16/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States puts her own rebound into the net for a shorthanded goal against Ann-Renee Desbiens #35 of Team Canada in the second period during the Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal match between Team Canada and Team United States on Day 13 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on Feb. 17, 2022 in Beijing, China.
(Pool photo by Jonathan Ernst via Getty Images)
17/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
USA forward Hilary Knight (21) advances the puck against Canada during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena on Nov. 20, 2022 in Seattle, Wash. USA defeated Canada 4-2.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
18/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
USA captain Hilary Knight (12) stands in the middle of her team mates as they sing the national anthem after winning the gold medal match over Canada at CAA Center on April 16, 2023 in Brampton, Ontario.
(Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)
19/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
USA forward Hilary Knight (21) celebrates with forward Alex Carpenter (25) after scoring a goal against Canada in the third period at CAA Center on April 16, 2023 in Brampton, Ontario.
(Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)
20/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
USA's Hilary Knight stays focused at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, NY on Saturday, April 6, 2024.
(Daniel DeLoach, Utica Observer-Dispatch via USA TODAY Network)
21/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Team King forward Hilary Knight (21) goes to shoot the puck as Team Kloss defender Erin Ambrose (23)defends during the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena on Feb. 1, 2024 inToronto, Ontario.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
22/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Boston forward Hilary Knight walks onto the ice before a PWHL ice hockey gam against Minnesota at the Tsongas Center on Jan. 3, 2024 in Lowell, Mass.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
23/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Boston forward Hilary Knight skates onto the ice before a PWHL ice hockey game against Minnesota at the Tsongas Center on Jan. 3, 2024 in Lowell, Mass.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
24/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
(L-R) Taylor Girard, Hilary Knight, Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Nurse, Lexie Adzija and Taylor Heise attend the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, Calif.
(Frazer Harrison, Getty Images)
25/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Hilary Knight of the U.S. celebrates with the trophy after winning the Gold Medal Game against Canada at the IIHF Women's World Championships in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic on April 20, 2025.
(David W Cerny, REUTERS)
26/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Hilary Knight of Boston Fleet celebrates with fans after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Frost during the third period at Tsongas Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in Lowell, Mass. The Fleet defeat the Frost 4-2.
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
27/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Hilary Knight of Boston Fleet looks on during the third period of the game against the Minnesota Frost at Tsongas Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in Lowell, Mass. The Fleet defeat the Frost 4-2.
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
28/28
USA Hockey veteran Hilary Knight heads to Milan‑Cortina as team leader
Hilary Knight, captain of Team USA ice hockey and of the new PWHL expansion team in Seattle, throws the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers at T-Mobile Park on July 23, 2025 in Seattle, Wash.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
Where does Hilary Knight rank on all-time Olympic points?
Wickenheiser set what could be an unbreakable record with 51 career points in the Olympics.
The full list:
Hayley Wickenheiser, Canada, 51
Marie-Philip Poulin, Canada, 39 (active)
Hilary Knight, USA, 33 (active)
Jenny Potter, USA, 32
Cherie Piper, Canada, 30
Jayna Hefford, Canada, 30
How many Olympics has Hilary Knight played in?
Milano Cortina is Hilary Knight's fifth Olympic appearance. She also played in Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014), Pyeongchang (2018) and Beijing (2022). Her totals for each Olympics:
2010: One goal, eight points
2014: Three goals, six points
2018: Two goals, three points
2022: Six goals, 10 points
2026: Three goals, six points.
How many medals does Hilary Knight have?
She won gold medals in 2018 and 2026 and silver medals in 2010, 2014 and 2022.
Where does Hilary Knight play in the PWHL?
Knight plays for the expansion Seattle Torrent in the Professional Women's Hockey League. She played for Boston the previous two seasons.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Who is Hilary Knight engaged to?
Knightproposed to U.S. speed skater Brittany Boweon Wednesday, Feb. 18, as both athletes compete at the Olympics. It marks a full circle moment for the couple, who first met at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.
