DETROIT — The PWHL’s trade freeze lifted Tuesday, and with it came the official announcement: five-time U.S. Olympian Hilary Knight is heading to Detroit. The move completes a sign-and-trade agreement between the league’s two expansion teams, Detroit and Las Vegas, that was reached last week.
Las Vegas used its foundational offer to sign Knight to a one-year contract on June 8, then immediately traded her to Detroit. In return, the Las Vegas franchise receives Detroit’s first-round pick, giving it two selections in the top five of Wednesday’s PWHL draft — No. 3 overall (from Detroit) and No. 5 overall (its own).
“Hilary Knight is one of the best and most accomplished players in women’s hockey history and is a significant addition to our roster ahead of our inaugural season,” Detroit GM Manon Rheaume said. “In addition to the tremendous skill she will bring to the ice, her leadership and presence in the locker room and in the community and her desire to compete and to win a Walter Cup will be instrumental in shaping our culture and building our foundation.”
The 36-year-old Knight, a forward, is one of the most decorated players in women’s hockey. She won her second Olympic gold medal in February at the Milan Cortina Games and has served as the U.S. captain. She has said those Olympics would be her last, but she planned to continue her professional career.
Knight spent her first two PWHL seasons with Boston before joining the expansion Seattle Torrent last year. She was left unprotected by Seattle this offseason, becoming available for the expansion draft. In 22 games last season with Seattle, she recorded five goals and 14 points before missing the final two months with a lower-body injury. The previous year, she tied for the league lead with 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists).
Detroit gave up a valuable pick in a draft considered deep in high-end talent, including five U.S. players who won gold in Milan. Vancouver holds the No. 1 pick, followed by Seattle. The top three consensus prospects are Wisconsin teammates Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards, and Minnesota forward Abbey Murphy. Rounding out the top five are U.S. Olympians Tessa Janecke (Penn State) and Kirsten Simms (Wisconsin).
“Having two picks in the first round of such an incredibly skilled draft class provides us the opportunity to add two players who will make an immediate and lasting impact on our team,” Las Vegas GM Dominique DiDia said.
