skip navigation

Hilary Knight Named Bob Allen Women’s Hockey Player of Year

By Dan Scifo, 06/01/22, 8:15AM MDT

Share

Knight added six more goals and another medal to her Olympic resume in 2022

Hilary Knight has long since established a reputation as one of the top players in U.S. hockey history.

In 2022, the four-time Olympian further cemented herself as one of the best in the world and she was once again rewarded for her efforts.

Knight was named the 2022 Bob Allen Women’s Hockey Player of the Year, an award that salutes the accomplishments of an outstanding American-born women’s hockey player.

“Obviously, it’s an incredible award and it means a lot when you can be recognized,” Knight said. “The award is there to recognize great players, but I can’t emphasize enough that I play with amazing teammates. It’s an honor, but I can’t thank the players I play with enough for setting me up for success.”

The award is named in honor of the late Bob Allen, who was an ardent supporter of women’s hockey throughout his career.

Five of Knight’s 2022 Olympic teammates are previous award winners, including Kendall Coyne Schofield (2019), Brianna Decker (2015, 2017), Amanda Kessel (2013), Maddie Rooney (2018) and Abby Roque in 2020. Aerin Frankel won the award in 2021.

Knight herself is a two-time winner, also capturing the award in 2014. She’s the fifth two-time winner in the 28-year history of the award.

“As a veteran player on our team, for her to shine like that in this year was just incredible,” said Katie Million, director of women’s national team programs for USA Hockey. “Obviously, it shows what a competitor and what an outstanding hockey player she is.”

In February, at her fourth Olympic Winter Games, Knight played her 22nd Olympic women’s hockey game, most ever by a U.S.-born women’s player. Knight, who served as an alternate captain, led Team USA with six goals and 10 points as the U.S. won a silver medal in Beijing.

A graphic of Hilary Knight winning the Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award

“She’s one of, if not the, premier player in North America, and certainly the United States,” said Joel Johnson, head coach of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team. “I think that, in and of itself, you’re talking about a record-breaking career. One of the things people don’t talk about is the longevity of her career and the fact that she continues to get better with every event she plays in. The accomplishments and the litany of things you can write down statistically speak for themselves.”

Knight put forth one of the most prolific performances by a U.S. women’s player in Olympic history. She posted 10 points, good for third overall in the tournament, but tied for second all-time in a single Olympic Winter Games by a U.S. player. Her six goals were also tied for second in U.S. history during a single Olympic tournament.

Knight’s goals were significant ones, too, among them a pair of game-winners and an important shorthanded goal during the gold-medal game against Canada. Her defensive efforts were just as impressive, as Knight posted a plus-six through seven games.

“I pride myself on playing shut-down defense,” Knight said. “I don’t want to get scored on and I don’t want our group to get scored on. You have to be able to play all three zones.”

In the lead-up to the Olympic Winter Games, Knight scored four goals and five points in six games during the My Why Tour, presented by Toyota against Canada. Knight now has 12 goals and 27 career points in Olympic competition. That’s first among active U.S. players and second all-time in points behind Jenny Potter, third in goals behind Natalie Darwitz and Katie King and second in assists behind Potter.

“She’s grabbed the spotlight and kept it for a decade,” Johnson said. “When I look at Hilary, she’s had a great career and has been one of if not the best performing players for Team USA for a long time. She splashed onto the scene early at Wisconsin and she keeps getting better. The reason she keeps getting better is because she’s a complete player and she’s still providing one of the best offensive threats in the game.”

Million was impressed to see Knight’s continued climb up the record books in Beijing.

“Hilary Knight just keeps racking up awards,” Million said. “She’s just an outstanding player. The longevity, loyalty and commitment is incredible and I couldn’t be happier for her.”

Knight, of Sun Valley, Idaho, has been a mainstay on the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2006. She helped Wisconsin to a pair of national championships and also won titles in the professional space as well.

Knight is tied for the most Olympic appearances and medals won, both with four. She won an all-important gold medal in 2018 and three silver medals in 2010, 2014 and 2022. Knight has also won eight gold medals at the IIHF Women’s World Championships and three silver medals.

Knight credited teammates for one of the most decorated careers in U.S. women’s hockey history.

“I think any hockey player knows that you don’t sign up for the individual accolades,” Knight said. “It’s one of those things where you play with great people and sometimes you get rewarded individually for it. It’s a testament to the program and the type of women we have in that room. That’s what keeps drawing me back and wanting to represent our country.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Annual Meeting

Annual Award Winners

More USA Hockey News

Michigan Womens's Ice Hockey Team - by Nolan Bona
  • The Game Lives On

  • By Clara Boudette 03/13/2024, 10:15am MDT
  • The University of Michigan Women’s Ice Hockey Team Embraces Domestic & Global Opportunities American College Hockey Association Provides
  • Read More
The Lady Duck "We Play Her Way" program smiles for a photograph on the ice.