On Thursday afternoon, Les Canadiennes announced that the 28-year-old free agent, and recent Team USA Olympic gold medalist, will join Montreal in time for the 2018 CWHL playoff run.
"I'm very excited for this opportunity to get back on the ice and to play in Montreal in front of Fabs fans! It's always an honour to be able to promote women's hockey, and my goal is to help Montreal defend their title as Clarkson Cup Champions," said Knight.
Knight was drafted fourth overall by the Boston Blades in the 2012 CWHL Draft. A CWHL MVP and two-time Clarkson Cup winner, Knight also spent two seasons with the NWHL's Boston Pride, helping them win the 2016 Isobel Cup.
"Hilary Knight is one of the most talented players in the world, and a champion for female athletes everywhere," said Les Canadiennes' general manager, Meg Hewings. "We're thrilled to welcome Hilary to Montreal, to have her join our all-star roster and play in hockey's most passionate market. She's an impact player who will help our organization continue to be a leading, world-class club."
Knight made her Olympic debut in 2010 in Vancouver as the youngest member of the U.S. Women's Olympic Ice Hockey Team at just 20 years old. There, she led Team USA to a silver medal performance. She began her international career in 2007 at the age of 17, and has played in nine International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championships, helping Team USA capture seven gold medals and two silvers in that span.
Prior to embarking on her professional career, the Palo Alto, CA, native completed a standout playing career at the University of Wisconsin women's ice hockey team, where in her four seasons (2007-08 to 2011-12), she helped the Badgers to three NCAA championship-game appearances, winning NCAA titles in both 2009 and 2011. She scored 143 career goals with Wisconsin, an all-time record among all Badger hockey players, male or female.
Knight's return to the league is an exciting development for Montreal hockey fans, and a boon for the 11-year old CWHL, the world's premier and longest-standing female professional sports league after the WNBA.
Knight will be the third American free agent to join the CWHL mid-season, along with defensive stalwart Megan Bozek, who signed with the Markham Thunder, and all-star forward Alex Carpenter, drafted to the China-based Kunlun Red Star in their inaugural season.
Knight is expected to practice with the team this Thursday, and make her debut in the lineup with Les Canadiennes on Sunday, March 11, against the Calgary Inferno at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, which will be broadcast live nation-wide on Sportsnet. Tickets are available for $15 at the door or online
here
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Knight will be available for a press scrum prior to the team practice on Thursday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Michel Normandin Arena, Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard. For other inquiries, please contact [email protected].
About the CWHLThe Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) is the premier, professionally run women's hockey league in the world. A not-for-profit organization, the league is dedicated to raising the profile of women's hockey, while providing a place for the best female hockey players in North America to train and compete. Affordably priced, all CWHL games showcase speed, finesse and skill. Since its inception in 2007, the CWHL has supported all teams in their season of home/away games, as well as charity and exhibition games in the community. Each season has culminated in an exciting playoff tournament where the top teams play-off for the Clarkson Cup, the equivalent of the Stanley Cup in women's hockey. For more information, visit thecwhl.com
