HILARY KNIGHT NAMED TO 2014 US OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ann Arbor, Michigan – January 1, 2014: USA power forward and 2013 CWHL (Canadian Women’s Hockey League) MVP, Hilary Knight, was named as a member of the US Women’s Hockey Team on Wednesday in an unveiling during the second intermission of the Winter Classic. The team was revealed in front of a record crowd of more than 100,000 hockey fans in The University Of Michigan’s stadium, “The Big House.”
After taking home silver in her Olympic debut in Vancouver, Knight made her intentions known in the final two exhibition games against Canada last week, scoring the sole goal in the shootout to give the US the win and providing 2 assists. In a rematch this past Monday, Knight opened the scoring in the US Team’s 3-2 victory over Canada.
“Nearly four years ago, I remember taking my first stride on the ice of the 2010 Games. The thrill of the crowd as the sheer excitement of fulfilling my 15 year-long journey is only something one can dream about,” says Knight. “There is no greater honor in sports but to represent ones country on the World’s stage. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to play alongside some of the best athletes in the World and to get another chance at fulfilling my next dream, Team USA’s dream, a gold medal.”
The roster includes 11 Olympians and 21 world champions. It has experience in players like Knight, as well as talented Olympic newcomers. All 21 players have appeared in the World Championships, including 18 who played for the American team that beat Canada for the gold medal in Ottawa in April. The team will be seeking its first gold since the 1998 Nagano Games. They will depart for Sochi on Feb. 1st, to play their Olympic opener on Feb. 8th against Finland and meet archrival Canada in the preliminary round on Feb. 12th.