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Come Fan with UsFriday, June 19, 2026

Hilary Knight will never forget what just happened at the Olympics

Gold medalist and Team USA women’s hockey captain Hilary Knight spoke with SB Nation about her Olympic experience and what it takes to succeed.

Ice Hockey - Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 13
Ice Hockey - Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 13
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 19: Gold medalist Hilary Knight #21 of Team United States celebrates after the medal ceremony for Women’s Ice Hockey after the Women’s Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Imagine having so many Olympic medals that you are forced to use socks to store them.

This is a unique problem and one that Hilary Knight is well-versed in. The Captain of the United States Hockey Team that secured the Gold during these past Olympics in a thriller against Canada… Knight has been an Olympic staple for a long time now.

While Hilary has a collection of medals, it is hard to imagine that anything will ever top the experience behind the latest one. As the Captain for the U.S. team, the one who scored the goal in the Gold Medal Match to send it to overtime, she carried a lot of expectations around her… and she even got engaged while in Italy. That’s a lot to hold mentally!

Recently we had the chance here at SB Nation to chat with Hilary about the whirlwind that was her Olympic experience. You can watch our conversation below.

My favorite thing that Hilary touched on was how the Olympics are not just something that require preparation once every four years. She noted that every day carries decisions that she has to measure as a professional athlete for the good of her Olympic performance, years before the games actually arrive.

This is what we as sports fans want to believe so much. We need to know that these athletes, the finest athletes in the world, are taking each and every single day to get just a little bit better so that it can deliver the ultimate payoff in the end like it did for Knight and the Americans.

Hilary joined us on behalf of her partnership with Hershey’s. It was in the campaign that she first mentioned the long-term preparation that the Olympics require.

Happiness is in the moments and experiences we share, not just the milestones we reach,” said Stacy
Taffet, Chief Growth Officer, The Hershey Company. “Hershey’s is fueling the brand’s momentum through
what matters most: bringing people little prized moments of their own gold. Our new campaign connects
consumers to the excitement of the games and reminds them happiness is within reach – even as a
chocolate medal.”

As a proud supporter of Team USA, Hershey’s teamed up with five winter Olympic and Paralympic
athletes and their families for this, including:

Through a series of personal and authentic anecdotes, these athletes, along with their families, showcase
how happiness is not only found in winning, but in everyday moments along their journey. These
everyday rituals, small victories, and shared experiences matter just as much, and are the ultimate
reward. To bring these stories to life, Hershey’s interviewed athletes’ families first – asking what they
wished most for them. The answer was unanimous: happiness. Families reflected on childhood
memories, traditions, and the moments that shaped who these athletes are today. Those messages were
later revealed to each athlete, capturing genuine, unscripted reactions, before surprising them with their
families on set.

Hilary Knight is an American hero for her Olympic accomplishments over the course of many cycles now, but she is a hero for humanity with how she carries herself and has the right priorities in her life.

Hopefully the socks work out as medal storage!

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