The 2026 Winter Olympics became a shining chapter for Hilary Knight and the United States Women’s hockey team, who clinched gold in a thrilling final against Canada. As captain, Knight led by example, shattering the U.S. record for most Olympic goals with her 15th and setting a new benchmark for points in women’s hockey history during the tournament.
The U.S. Men’s hockey team also won gold at the Olympics, marking a historic moment for the nation.
Hilary Knight On Visiting the White House
During a congratulatory call with the men’s hockey team, U.S. President Donald Trump joked about the women’s team, saying he had to invite them to the State of the Union address or risk impeachment.
This comment gained traction online, with many of the U.S women’s hockey team sharing their responses, including Knight, who called the joke ‘distasteful’.
In a recent interview, Knight discussed the prospect of visiting the White House, saying:
“I’m not sure. I’m really not sure where that stands. I know there was an announcement the other day. But as far as I know, I haven’t seen anything. You know, I thought the call itself was distasteful, and a moment to refocus the narrative and understand that our worth matters and how we speak about women matters.
We need to celebrate this team, as we’ve earned these celebrations. So really, just looking forward to drive success through our group and be the inspiration that we are in our communities.”
The U.S. Men’s hockey team visited President Trump at the White House on February 24 and also attended the State of the Union address. The women’s team declined the invitation to attend the State of the Union address, citing prior academic and professional obligations after the Games.
Knight Speaks About Her Olympic Debut
Knight burst onto the international scene at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, making her Olympic debut unforgettable. She tallied 1 goal and 7 assists, amassing 8 points to help secure a silver medal.
“I felt like a kid in the candy shop,” Knight said during an interview with NBC Olympics in June 2025. “I feel like I slept with a smile on my face permanently at the Olympics. And every day I woke up, I was like ‘This is the best day ever.'”
Knight earned her spot on Team USA for the 2010 Games after a standout sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin, where she captured an NCAA Championship and rewrote the school record books.
