A Strategic Signing for the Las Vegas Franchise
Five‑time Olympian Hilary Knight has agreed to a one‑year deal with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s newest franchise in Las Vegas, a move that marks a significant step for the league’s expansion.
Under the agreement, Knight will eventually transition to the Detroit market via a sign‑and‑trade arrangement, with the Las Vegas team set to receive Detroit’s first‑round draft pick once the PWHL’s trade freeze lifts on June 16.
The contract guarantees Knight a base salary of at least $100,000 for the upcoming season, underscoring the league’s commitment to competitive compensation.
Knight’s career includes stints with the Boston Fleet and Seattle Torrent, and she arrives in Las Vegas after a strong finish to last season in which she recorded five goals and 14 points in 22 games.
The trade will bring the Chicago native closer to home, a factor that played a role in her decision, and follows her leadership in guiding the United States to a gold‑medal victory at the Milan Cortina Games, where she also deflected the championship‑tying goal in the final against Canada.
Ranked 12th in PWHL history with 54 career points across 76 games, Knight’s presence adds veteran depth to the expansion roster as the league prepares for its next growth phase.