When the Badger women's hockey team needs someone to go out and fight for the puck in front of the net or score a big goal, they often turn to freshman forward Hilary Knight.
In 28 games she has already proven her importance to the team, leading in a number of categories, including points with 29. Many around the program, however, have noted that Knight's hard working attitude is one of the biggest positives she brought to the team.
She's gained a lot more confidence [this season]. She's always been a great player, but with confidence she's been able to show more of her skill,"" junior wing Angie Keseley said. ""Each day she is improving, that's what she loves doing. She loves to improve and I think it's really showing.""
Knight moved several times in her youth, first from California to Illinois and later to New Hampshire. She first got involved in hockey through a friend of her mother's who was a coach.
For high school she attended Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut, the same high school that 2006 Patty Kazmaier winner Julie Chu attended. Knight collected 72 points in 23 games her senior season and led her team to a New England championship.
Widely considered one of the top American forwards in her class, Knight was selected to play in the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship with the U.S. Women's national team during her senior year of high school. There she played with current Badger teammates Jessie Vetter, Meghan Duggan and Erika Lawler as well as two former Wisconsin players.
""It was amazing. I mean, you are playing with people who you've seen in magazines, who you've wanted to be, aspire to be your whole life,"" Knight said. ""It was a nice experience and it definitely made me appreciate what I had.""
Upon coming to Madison, Knight immediately received accolades, being named the 2007-08 WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year. Knight was put on the same line as Lawler and Keseley, players who had been linemates for the previous two seasons. Although she was the third player to occupy that position in three years, both Keseley and Lawler quickly grew to appreciate what Knight had to offer.
""I can always rely on her to get down and dirty,"" said Lawler. ""I think she fits in really well with me and Angie [Keseley] ... right now I think Hilary is just a great addition to the line. She works really well with us.""
Knight started her season fast by collecting six points in her first four games. She showed off her skills as a passer by handing out four assists in her second conference series, a performance that earned her a WCHA Rookie of the Week award.
Beyond leading Wisconsin in points, she also has scored the most goals and is tied for the team lead in game-winning and power-play goals. Last weekend against North Dakota, she had her first career hat trick and put up five points over the weekend.
This week Knight received her second WCHA Rookie of the Week award for her stellar play against the Fighting Siuox.
""[Knight] has played at a high level for about a year on the national team, and played with some high competition,"" head coach Mark Johnson said. ""She's got good work habits, she comes to practice everyday wanting to learn and wanting to become better, and that's all you can ask of a player.
