One day after being left unprotected for PWHL expansion, Hilary Knight has signed with the league’s new Seattle franchise.

The league, which launched in January 2024 with six teams, is adding two franchises in Seattle and Vancouver. PWHL expansion rules allow unprotected players and free agents to negotiate with either of the new teams during a five-day window that opened Wednesday morning.

As expected, the Boston Fleet protected star goalie Aerin Frankel and No. 1 defender Megan Keller ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. But the team opted to protect 27-year-old forward Alina Müller in a surprising move that left Knight, the team’s captain, exposed.

Knight will turn 36 this summer and she’s already announced that the 2026 Milan Olympics will be her fifth and final trip to the Games. She’s also said she plans to continue playing in the PWHL.

IT’S KNIGHT TIME, SEATTLE! 😎

2025 PWHL Points co-leader, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist and ten-time World Champion Hilary Knight has signed a one-year Standard Player Agreement.
📰 https://t.co/X6kmwRhhuX pic.twitter.com/yLWBWHgsyk

— PWHL Seattle (@PWHL__Seattle) June 5, 2025

Still, if Boston general manager Danielle Marmer were to protect Knight, she’d run the risk of losing three top forwards in short order — Müller and rookie forward Hannah Bilka to expansion, and Knight to retirement. Protecting Müller — even if it likely means losing Knight — ensures the team keeps at least one of its core forwards for more than a few years.

For Seattle, however, making one of the greatest women’s hockey players of all-time the team’s first signing is an easy win. Especially considering Knight is an all-time great who is still a high-end player.

“Signing Hilary Knight was an absolute no-brainer,” said PWHL Seattle general manager Meghan Turner in a press release. “Her proven leadership and drive, the way she elevates everyone around her, those are qualities you can’t teach.

“Hilary’s not just a game-changer on the ice, she’s the kind of person who defines a culture, and we’re incredibly proud to have her as the first-ever player to join PWHL Seattle.”

Knight was one of the best players in the PWHL in 2024-25, with a league leading 29 points in 30 games. Knight finished second in goals (15), behind only Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin, and was named a finalist for league MVP and Forward of the Year.

She was also (once again) among the top scorers at women’s world championships in April, where she won her record 10th gold medal with Team USA.

Off the ice, very few have anything close to the cachet that Knight has in women’s hockey, particularly in an American market. As a cornerstone player in Seattle – and perhaps captain – she should undoubtedly help grow the fan base and market swiftly, much like her star counterparts in soccer (Megan Rapinoe) and basketball (Sue Bird) have done.

Turner, who spent the first two seasons as Boston’s assistant general manager, is obviously familiar with Knight, and the kind leadership and experience she can add to a brand-new franchise. Signing in Seattle also offers Knight, who is from Sun Valley, Idaho, a chance to be closer to family.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of bringing professional women’s hockey to the Pacific Northwest,” said Knight. “Seattle holds a special place in my heart, and I’m beyond excited to join PWHL Seattle in such a storied sports city. I’m grateful to Meghan Turner for believing in me and bringing me on board as part of this new chapter.”

The PWHL’s Seattle team will debut in the fall of 2025 and will play at Climate Pledge Arena, home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.

(Photo: Brian Fluharty / Getty Images)