Seattle PWHL Signs Hilary Knight Amidst Expansion Challenges
June 11, 2025 | By Emma Healy, The Boston Globe
The expansion PWHL team in Seattle has signed former Fleet captain Hilary Knight to a one-year contract, marking a significant moment for both the player and the league. This decision has drawn attention amidst the challenges faced during the PWHL expansion draft, where original teams were limited in their player protections.
Boston Fleet General Manager Danielle Marmer faced a tough choice, ultimately opting to protect young forward Alina Müller over Knight, a decorated veteran and finalist for this season’s MVP award. Knight, 35, boasts a remarkable career, including four Olympic and 15 World Championship medals with Team USA. However, with her sights set on the 2026 Olympics, this may be one of her final seasons.
"This was the hardest decision I’ve made in my professional career," Marmer noted, explaining her focus on balancing performance, longevity, and salary cap considerations.
Under the expansion format, each existing team could protect only three players initially, sparking debates about fairness and competitiveness. The Fleet lost three players, including Knight, as well as forwards Hannah Bilka and defender Emily Brown. Although Marmer expressed concern over the impact of losing top talent, she remains optimistic about the opportunities available to remaining players.
“Change brings opportunity,” she stated. “I’m excited to see who rises to the occasion.”
The PWHL is set to continue its expansion process with free agency and the entry draft scheduled for June 24. As the league seeks to ensure competitive balance, the effects of this expansion are still unfolding, creating mixed feelings among teams navigating this new landscape.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
