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US Women's Hockey Captain Played Olympics With Torn MCL
Hilary Knight reveals she competed through injury to lead team to gold medal
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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U.S. women's hockey gold medal-winning captain Hilary Knight revealed that she played in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan with a torn medial collateral ligament in one of her knees. Despite the injury, Knight was able to tie the gold medal game against Canada with just over two minutes left in regulation, helping the U.S. team secure the victory.
Why it matters
Knight's revelation about playing through a significant injury highlights the dedication and toughness of elite athletes, as well as the challenges they face in competing at the highest levels of their sport. Her performance despite the torn MCL underscores the U.S. women's hockey team's resilience and ability to overcome adversity to win the gold medal.
The details
Knight, who is 36 years old, said she is "not walking around the best" and is "missing a few games" for her PWHL team, the Seattle Torrent, due to the injury. She credited the U.S. team's "amazing support staff" for helping her perform at her best during the Olympics. Both Knight and her U.S. teammates Kendall Coye Schofield and Canada's Erin Ambrose were placed on long-term injured reserve by their PWHL teams upon returning from the Olympics.
- Knight revealed the injury during a television appearance on 'CBS Mornings' on Monday, March 2, 2026.
- The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy took place from February 6-22, 2026.
The players
Hilary Knight
The 36-year-old captain of the U.S. women's hockey team who led them to the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy despite playing with a torn MCL.
Kendall Coye Schofield
A member of the U.S. women's hockey team who, like Knight, was placed on long-term injured reserve by her PWHL team after returning from the Olympics.
Erin Ambrose
A member of the Canadian women's hockey team who was also placed on long-term injured reserve by her PWHL team after the Olympics.
What they’re saying
“I'm not walking around the best, and I'm missing a few games for the (PWHL's) Seattle Torrent. To be able to play through injury was definitely a mental sort of gymnastic challenge for myself and also physical, but we've got some amazing support staff that did their best to get me out there and perform at my best — as best as I could.”
— Hilary Knight (CBS Mornings)
What’s next
Knight and her U.S. men's hockey counterparts Jack and Quinn Hughes are set to appear on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' on Monday night, which is expected to be the final stop on their whirlwind media tour since returning to North America.
The takeaway
Hilary Knight's revelation about playing through a torn MCL to lead the U.S. women's hockey team to Olympic gold underscores the incredible dedication and toughness of elite athletes. Her performance despite the injury highlights the resilience and determination of the U.S. team, and serves as an inspiring example of the lengths top athletes will go to in order to achieve their goals.
