PWHL Seattle Signs Hilary Knight

PWHL Seattle continued to build their roster for their inaugural season, signing American hockey legend Hilary Knight to a one-year standard player agreement on Wednesday night. 

Knight, 35, comes to Seattle after two seasons with the Boston Fleet, where she helped them to the 2024 Walter Cup Final, before they fell short against the Minnesota Frost. In her two seasons with the Fleet, she scored 21 goals and 40 points in 54 regular-season games.

Yet, her most notable accolades come with Team USA, where she has won an Olympic gold medal and three silvers, along with 10 IIHF World Championship titles, and five silvers to become the nation’s most decorated women’s hockey player. 

In 2024-25, Knight scored 15 goals and 29 points for the Fleet, tied for the second-most goals in the PWHL. Meanwhile, she added two goals and nine in seven games with Team USA as they went on to win the World Championship, beating Canada in the gold medal game. 

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of bringing professional women’s hockey to the Pacific Northwest,” Knight said in a release. “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.”

While Knight struggled to produce in her first PWHL campaign, she returned to her usual form in the second season, but was left off Boston’s three-player protected list, in favor of starting goaltender Aerin Frankel, top defender Megan Keller and Swiss superstar forward, Alina Müller. 

Newly hired Seattle general manager Meghan Turner will know precisely what Knight brings to the locker room and the team, having served as Boston’s assistant GM through the last two seasons. 

“Signing Hilary Knight was an absolute no-brainer – she’s the heartbeat of any team she joins,” Turner said. “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.”

PWHL Seattle, which will come into the league for the 2025-26 season alongside PWHL Vancouver also look set to sign Canadian forward Danielle Serdachny from the Ottawa Charge. Meanwhile, Vancouver added former Minnesota defenders Sophie Jaques and Claire Thompson as their first official signings, and have been linked with Toronto Sceptres forward Sarah Nurse, and Charge goaltender, Emerance Maschmeyer. 

The two expansion teams are in an exclusive signing window and can bring in up to eight players ahead of June 8 at 5:00 p.m. ET, prior to the 2025 Expansion Draft on June 9, where both Seattle and Vancouver will select a minimum of seven players.