With Hilary Knight's international career, the long-term appearance of four-time Olympic athletes and American women's hockey has barely dabbled in her sport.

In her pioneering career, the 35-year-old is next to her standing in the U.S. hockey game on demanding wages and helping find the PWHL – as part of the league’s expansion into the Pacific Northwest.

"Yes, I think it's a development of my career. I'm more of a builder in many ways," Knight said with a smile two days after becoming the first player to agree to sign with the PWHL's new team in Seattle.

"It's ecstatic. It's incredible honor to be this group and have this opportunity. I think it's important, it's important." "Holding hands on the ground is an extreme honor."

Don't be deceived because Knight agrees to sign a one-year agreement. Although she has announced that the 2026 Winter Olympics will be her fifth and final Olympics, Knight said she is committed to continuing her career in Seattle outside of her third season in the PWHL.

“The word doesn’t really reflect my commitment to what we want to build and be part of the city of Seattle,” she said.

The addition of Seattle and Vancouver has grown the league into eight teams and has fully expanded the PWHL coverage across the continent.

On the Switch Coast, the Cavaliers bid farewell to Boston's long-term connection, which went far beyond her two years as captain of the PWHL fleet. While at the University of Wisconsin, Knight attended a preparatory school in New England and later spent six years in Boston for its CWHL and NWHL franchise.

Seattle brought Knight to her offseason home in Sun Valley, Idaho, where she enjoyed some wonderful memories.

The most important thing is in 2022, when she was amazed by 14,551 fans in the NHL Kraken Arena and participated in the U.S. Canada Competition Series. She returned to the same arena in January, with 12,608 fans on hand watching Boston play Montreal to open the PWHL's nine neutral venue takeover tour series.

“When the league announced that Seattle would be an extension franchise, I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, no matter who gets the chance to get there, it’s going to be a great setup and a great fan base,” Knight said. “I think things are consistent for me the right way. I can’t wait to drop the puck.”

Knight is about to have a great season, with her 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) tied for the league lead with New York rookie Sarah Fillier. She also won the 11th gold medal for Team USA and won the 10th gold medal at the Women's World Championship in April.

Knight already has some familiar faces joining her in Seattle after signing with U.S. national team member Cayla Barnes and Alex Carpenter.

The 31-year-old carpenter became the latest member to agree to a one-year contract on Friday. She spent her first two seasons in New York, ranked third in the PWHL career list, ranking with 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) in 50 games.

Carpenter fills the fourth of Seattle's up to five signing locations, surrounded by Ottawa forward Danielle Serdachny. Meanwhile, Vancouver has signed five players.

The signing period lasted until Sunday, and the two teams then filled 12 players in Monday's expansion draft. All eight teams will then compete in the PWHL draft on June 24.

Knight reflects on how he continued to pursue a career in hockey outside of his respective national teams when he finished college in 2012. The CWHL did not pay the player's salary, while the NWHL suffered several ic plays and was eventually acquired to establish the PWHL in 2023.

"We all want this 20, 30, 100 years ago," Knight said of PWHL.

"I'm so grateful to everyone in front of you for having this alliance," she added. "I think we're very good with the first year we started and where we're going. It's an amazing park blow to be able to expand in 3 years."

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