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The expansion Seattle franchise of the Professional Women’s Hockey League signed legendary forward Hilary Knight to a one-year contract on Wednesday.

Knight was left exposed in the expansion draft by the Boston Fleet. Seattle and fellow expansion franchise Vancouver were given a five-day window from June 4-8 to sign a maximum of five players prior to the June 9 zxdraft.

Knight, a four-time U.S. Olympian who recently announced her intention to play in the 2026 Games in Milan, tied for the PWHL lead of 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in the recently concluded season. It was her second season with the Fleet.

“Signing Hilary Knight was an absolute no-brainer — she’s the heartbeat of any team she joins,” Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said in a news release. “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, who turns 36 in July, has won one Olympic gold medal and three silvers. She had a regulation-time goal when the U.S. famously beat Canada in a shootout to win the 2018 gold medal in South Korea.

In the 2022 Olympics, Knight had six goals and four assists. Overall, she has 12 goals and 15 assists in 22 Olympic contests.

She also owns a record 15 medals (10 gold, five silver) at the Women’s World Championships. The most recent gold came in April.

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

Across all levels of U.S. national team play, Knight has 161 goals and 125 assists in 243 games.

The longtime resident of Sun Valley, Idaho, was a college star at Wisconsin and helped the Badgers win two national championships.

The Seattle franchise will play at Climate Pledge Arena, the home of the NHL’s Kraken.

–Field Level Media