Hilary Knight Traded to PWHL Detroit
Hilary Knight, the five-time U.S. Olympian and 2024 IIHF female player of the year, is joining the PWHL’s Detroit expansion team via a sign-and-trade deal. According to a source with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press, Knight will sign a foundational contract with Las Vegas before being traded to Detroit for a first-round draft pick.
How does the Hilary Knight trade to Detroit work?
The transaction involves a multi-step process during Phase 2 of the league’s expansion. Knight will first sign a foundational contract with Las Vegas, which guarantees her at least $100,000 per season. This is close to her previous year’s earnings of $106,090.
Las Vegas has then reached an agreement to trade Knight to Detroit in exchange for the team’s first-round pick in next week’s draft. The deal remains unofficial until the PWHL trade freeze lifts on June 16, one day before the draft begins.
Why is this move significant for Knight and Detroit?
The move brings Knight closer to the Chicago-area town where she grew up. She previously left the Boston Fleet for the Seattle Torrent to be near her offseason home in Idaho, but Seattle was restricted to protecting only three players. The Torrent chose to protect goalie Hannah Murphy, defender Anna Wilgren, and forward Alex Carpenter.
In Detroit, Knight joins a roster featuring U.S. gold medal-winning teammates Britta Curl-Salemme, Hannah Bilka, and defender Cayla Barnes. She also reunites with coach Josh Sciba, who served as an assistant on the U.S. Olympic team.
Knight arrives as one of the sport’s most decorated players. She holds career tournament records for points (120), goals (67), and assists (53) at worlds, and most recently captained Team USA to gold at the Milan Cortina Games.
What are the implications for other PWHL expansion teams?
Las Vegas gains a first-round pick in a draft featuring five U.S. national team members, including Laila Edwards and Caroline Harvey. To fill their final expansion slots, Las Vegas signed defender Erin Ambrose and forward Hayley Scamurra.
Other league movements include San Jose signing New York forward Maddi Wheeler to a two-year contract, joining Anne Cherkowski and Kristin O’Neill. In Phase 2, Vancouver lost no players, while Boston lost forward Alina Muller to Hamilton.
Detroit also bolstered its roster by signing Toronto forward Jesse Compher to a three-year contract. Compher is a silver medalist from the 2022 Beijing Games.
What may happen next for Knight in Detroit?
Knight could play a central role in Detroit’s inaugural season, though her health remains a factor. She missed the final two months of last season due to a lower-body injury, finishing with 14 points in 22 games.
A possible next step involves her integrating with the existing gold-medal core under GM Manon Rheaume. Depending on the draft order, Las Vegas may use their newly acquired first-round pick to secure a top young defender or forward to offset the loss of Knight’s veteran presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Hilary Knight trade become official?
The deal becomes official on June 16, once the PWHL’s trade freeze is lifted.
What did Las Vegas receive in the trade?
Las Vegas received Detroit’s first-round pick in the upcoming draft.
What are Knight’s career PWHL statistics?
Knight ranks 12th in the PWHL with 54 career points, consisting of 26 goals and 28 assists across 76 games.
Do you think adding a veteran like Hilary Knight gives Detroit an immediate advantage over other expansion teams?