Hilary Knight Delves into U.S.-Canada Rivalry Ahead of 2026 Olympics Showdown
As the countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics begins, Team USA's Hilary Knight is vocal about the intense rivalry with Team Canada, a competition that transcends mere sportsmanship. “There’s so much pride involved that we bring out the best level of competition from one another,” Knight, 36, remarked in an exclusive interview. “Even if you’re a fan, you feel the temperature. You feel a part of this rivalry. If you can only imagine two-times that when you’re down on ice level.”
On February 10, the two teams will clash in the preliminary round in Milan, Italy, with both squads being heavy favorites for gold. The anticipation is palpable, as they are expected to face off again in the gold medal match later in the tournament.
In what she describes as her final Olympic appearance, Knight reflected on how the establishment of the Professional Women’s Hockey League in 2024 has altered the dynamics of this year’s Games. “It’s interesting being in the pro league, being around different countries and stuff. I’m playing with [Julia] Gosling right now [on the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent] and then we’re going to duke it out on the world’s stage, best on best,” she explained. “It’s this interesting flip you have to switch.”
While the competition heats up on the ice, Knight noted that camaraderie exists off it. “Away from the game you have more similarities than you do differences,” she acknowledged. “I think that’s just what’s innately special about the hockey community and the way people can rally around one another.”
However, she emphasized that once the jerseys are donned, friendships take a backseat. “But make no mistake about it, when we throw on our jerseys with USA on the front, there are no friends out there. We’re out there to win,” Knight asserted.
Teammate Laila Edwards offered a candid perspective on the rivalry, stating, “We respect each other, but we do not like each other.” At just 22 years old, Edwards added, “I think the intensity just grows because we’re both just continuously getting better. They’re our sisters up north, as we call them. We have so much respect for each other, but we hate each other and we want to beat each other so badly. That eagerness just grows and grows.”
Edwards continued, “It’s hard to put into words, but there’s nothing quite like it.”
As she prepares for her Olympic swan song, Knight aims to secure her second gold medal after Team USA's victory in Pyeongchang in 2018. Yet for her, the Olympics represent more than just athletic achievement. “I always look at the Olympics as an opportunity to unite people through sport,” she stated. “If you want to call us sports ambassadors or sports envoys — maybe providing some inspiration through our style of play or some moment of sportsmanship — we can have an impact on someone’s life in a small way. I do think there’s a greater responsibility when you’re representing your country on the world stage. That’s always been special to me.”
