Torrent’s Hilary Knight played through MCL tear at 2026 Olympics
A valiant and record-breaking effort came at a cost for one of the best players in the world.
When Seattle Torrent captain Hilary Knight appeared on CBS Mornings, it was revealed that the Team USA star suffered a torn MCL during the women’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
.@HilaryKnight played through the 2026 Olympic Games with a torn MCL — and came out a gold medal-winner. Knight, who earned her fifth Olympic medal last month with the U.S. women’s hockey team, shares what it feels like to realize her lifelong dream and recalls the response she Show more
“Got a little banged up,” Knight said on Monday. “I’m not walking around the best. I’m missing a few games for the Seattle Torrent now, but to be able to play through injury was definitely a mental gymnastic challenge for myself, and also physical. We’ve got some amazing support staff to get me out there and perform as best as I could.”
Knight was placed on long-term injured reserve by the Torrent last week, with the team stating that the center is out “indefinitely.”
The 34-year-old had seemed a little hobbled in the later games of the tournament. She scored two goals and five points in the first four games of the tournament, tying Hockey Hall of Fame Jenny Potter for the most points by an American in a women’s hockey career at the Olympics, also putting herself alongside Natalie Darwitz and Katie King for the most goals at the Winter Games.
However, Knight went pointless in the team’s first two knockout games, leading many to wonder if the Idaho native would break the record in her final Olympics. Yet, Captain America had a flair for the dramatic. Late in the third period of the gold medal game against Canada, Knight tipped in a Laila Edwards shot to tie the game at one, breaking both records in a clutch moment.
The U.S. ended up winning the game in overtime thanks to a highlight-reel goal from Megan Keller.
Knight appeared in five Olympic Games, scoring 15 goals and 33 points in 29 games, winning two gold medals and three silver. She goes down third all-time in points.