Ice Hockey Legend Hilary Knight on 'Heated Rivalry', Game Day Treats & Her Fifth and Final Olympics

Not many people can say they’ve competed in the Olympics. Even fewer can say they’ve done it five times. Hilary Knight is no stranger to elite competition, and as she gears up for her fifth (and final) appearance at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games, she has a lot to be proud of. As one of the most decorated and influential figures in women’s ice hockey history, Knight’s trophy case is one that most athletes could only dream of: Four Olympic medals (one gold, three silver) and 15 World Championship medals (10 gold, five silver). She’s also currently the captain of the Seattle Torrent, and is the all-time leader in goals, assists and points at the IIHF Women’s World Championships.

But back when Knight first found the ice, competing in the Olympics was just a pipe dream. “My dream was to play hockey at the Olympics,” she says in a 2024 interview with Togethxr, “and at the time, women’s hockey wasn’t in the Olympics.” The sport was finally added in 1998, and since then, has grown to new heights stateside with the creation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League as well as the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, of which Knight is a founding member.

As captain of the 2026 U.S. Women’s National Team, Knight hopes to bring home the gold one last time. Leading up to the games, she partnered with everyone’s favorite candy company, Hershey’s, for their Hershey’s. It’s Your Happy Place campaign. As a supporter of Team USA, Hershey’s teamed up with multiple U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes to “share their stories of finding happiness, beyond the podium.” I got a chance to sit down with Knight and talk all things hockey, happiness and, yes, Heated Rivalry.

It's been 20 (!) years since you made your ice hockey national team debut. What made you first fall in love with the sport?

HK: Skating around the rink, feeling the wind in my hair through the helmet. I enjoyed meeting other kids and the challenge of learning such a dynamic sport.

Take me back to your childhood. Did you have a special post-game celebration ritual with your friends or family? Any core memories that stick out? 

HK: A chocolate and almond Hershey’s bar post-game is one of my favorite treats. When I was younger, I would play outdoor hockey and come in to the warming house for a break and eat [some] Reese’s [Peanut Butter] cups and then head back outside.

Speaking of, you partnered with Hershey’s for these upcoming games. What does the campaign’s slogan, “happiness is the real gold,” mean to you?

HK: [This partnership] feels natural... “Happiness is the real gold” is about all the smaller moments that people don’t necessarily see. The quiet everyday moments.

Back in May, you announced that Milan-Cortina 2026 will be your final Olympics. What are you most excited about for these upcoming games?

HK: It’s the OLYMPICS! Super excited to represent Team USA and compete on the world stage.

Looking ahead, what do you hope to see for the future of women’s ice hockey in America?

HK: Consistent growth and investment.

Finally, we're dying to know—have you seen Heated Rivalry? What are your thoughts on the attention it’s bringing to the sport right now?

HK: Representation is important. Putting different identities and stories in front of a wider audience helps push the sport forward. It opens doors, sparks conversation and hopefully creates more opportunities for everyone to enjoy the sport and feel supported. I love all the buzz Heated Rivalry has generated.