Hilary Knight has been named the IIHF's first ever women's hockey player of the year.
Hilary Knight has been named the IIHF's first ever women's hockey player of the year.
Hilary Knight has been named the first women's IIHF Player of the Year for 2022-2023.
Knight captained USA to a World Championship gold medal at the recent IIHF tournament, finishing tied for third in tournament scoring with 12 points in seven games. She played for Team Sonnet on the PWHPA's Dream Gap Tour this season finishing 23rd in league scoring with 10 points in 18 games.
“I am honored to be the first recipient of such a prestigious award.” Knight said in an IIHF media release.
“There are many talented women at this level, and it is a privilege to be recognized as the IIHF Female Player of the Year.”
Knight finished atop the media and IIHF voting with 40.9% of the vote, followed by fellow American Caroline Harvey and Slovakian phenom Nela Lopusanova.
Harvey, the runner up was named top defender at the World Championships and was voted a tournament all-star after leading the tournament in scoring with 14 points in seven games from the blueline. She won a national championship with Wisconsin finishing second in the NCAA in scoring by defenders with 39 points in 41 games as a rookie trailing only fifth year player and Patty Kazmaier winner Sophie Jaques. Harvey was also named USA Hockey's Player of the Year as the top American player in the world.
Knight scored the gold medal winning goal for the American's at the World Championship and became the first player to ever top 100 career points at the tournament.
“Reflecting on this year it’s hard to pinpoint one highlight, rather a collection of memories shared with my teammates. I am grateful to be a part of such an incredible group and share these special moments with my friends," said Knight.