Hilary Knight

Hilary Knight (born July 12, 1989) is an American ice hockey forward. She was named to the United States women’s ice hockey team for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Knight competed for the Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey program, as well as for Choate Rosemary Hall. Her first year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Knight helped the team place second in the NCAA championships. The following year she led her team in points to win the entire championship.

Wisconsin Badgers
In her freshman year, Knight ranked second on the team in goals (20), and tied for fifth on the team in assists (18). Her points total of 38 was good enough for third overall in team scoring. She ranked seventh in the nation in points per game for rookies and game-winning goals. During the season, Knight had 12 multi-point games (ranked third). For the season, Knight led the team in game-winning goals with six. On February 2, Knight recorded a hat trick against WCHA rival North Dakota.

As a sophomore, Knight appeared in 39 games for the Badgers. Knight led the NCAA in goal scoring (45) and points (83). Her 16 power-play goals ranked first in the NCAA. Based on her statistical accomplishments, Knight became the new Badgers record-holder for points, goals and power-play goals in one season. She recorded 24 multi-point games, 13 multi-goal games and 11 multi-assist games.

On September 27, 2008, versus the Quinnipiac Bobcats, Knight had a career-high (and school record) five goals in one game. In the process, she recorded her first natural hat trick. Versus WCHA rival North Dakota (on November 16), Knight got her second hat trick of the season. During the Frozen Four, Knight led the team in scoring with six points (three goals and three assists). From September 26 to October 31, Knight had a nine game point scoring streak. She would end the season with a six game point streak.

On January 14 and 16, 2011, Knight produced eight scoring points while leading the Badgers to a two-game sweep of St. Cloud State. Knight accumulated five points on three goals and two assists in the January 14th 10-0 win. On the 16th, she had two more goals and one assist for three points as the Badgers won by a 6-0 mark. Of her five goals, two were scored on the power play, and one of the goals on January 14 was the game winner. With the sweep, the Badgers increased their winning streak to 10 straight games. Knight is the top goal scorer in Div. 1 women’s hockey this season with 31.

On February 5, 2011, Knight scored her 36th goal of the year at 2:46 in the overtime period as Wisconsin defeated the Bemidji State Beavers by a 3-2 mark at the Sanford Center. Bemidji State goalie Alana McElhinney made 43 saves on the night including 24 in the second period.

Career Highs

 * Most Goals in One Game: 5; vs. Quinnipiac (September 27, 2009)
 * Most Assists in One Game: 4; vs. Dartmouth (March 14, 2009)
 * Most Points in One Game: 6; vs. Dartmouth (March 14, 2009)
 * Longest Point Scoring Streak: 9 consecutive games; (September 26 to October 31, 2008)

International
As a teenager, Knight was a member of the U.S. senior national team. In November 2006, she played for Team USA in the Four Nations Cup and was the youngest player for Team USA at 17 years old. . At the 2007 IIHF World Women's Championship, she was the youngest player on the U.S. squad. Her head coach was also the Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson. Knight earned silver at the tournament for the US. Later in the year, she played for the United States Under 22 National Team.

Awards and honors

 * 2009 RBK Hockey/AHCA Division I first-team All-American
 * 2009 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award top 10 finalist
 * 2009 WCHA Player of the Year
 * 2009 Frozen Four All-Tournament team
 * 2008 WCHA All-Rookie Team
 * WCHA Offensive Player of the Week (Week of Oct.8, 2008)
 * WCHA Offensive Player of the Week (Week of Nov. 19, 2008)
 * 2008-09 WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year
 * WCHA Rookie of the Week honors (Week of Jan. 7, 2009)
 * WCHA Rookie of the Week honors (Week of Feb. 4, 2009)
 * 2010-11 WCHA Preseason Player of the Year
 * 2011 First Team All-America selection
 * Media All-Star team, 2011 IIHF Women's World Championship
 * U.S. Olympic Committee's Athlete of the Month for April 2011
 * The city of Sun Valley, Idaho declared May 19, 2011 as Hilary Knight Day.
 * 2014 Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award winner, awarded by USA Hockey