Source: Las Vegas PWHL team lands 1st-round pick from Detroit for Hilary Knight

Danny Webster, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Jun 8, 2026

Published in Hockey

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LAS VEGAS — PWHL Las Vegas has executed its first significant trade as a franchise, and it involves one of the best players in the world.

The team is acquiring a first-round pick in next week’s draft from expansion Detroit in a sign-and-trade that will send two-time Olympic gold medalist Hilary Knight to Detroit, a source confirmed to the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Monday.

The trade can’t be completed until the league’s trade freeze lifts June 16. The draft is set for June 17.

Knight, the captain of the Seattle Torrent last season, was left unprotected during the league’s six-part expansion process.

One of the most accomplished players in U.S. Hockey history, Knight indicated that she wanted to play in Detroit next season, according to reports.

Detroit signed two of Knight’s teammates from Seattle on Friday, defender Cayla Barnes and forward Hannah Bilka. Also joining Detroit are Olympic teammates Britta Curl-Salemme (Minnesota Frost) and forward Jesse Compher (Toronto Sceptres).

Las Vegas had Knight on its Expansion Foundational Offer (EFO) list. The four expansion teams — along with Hamilton and San Jose — receive one binding offer during this phase to present to one cornerstone player. Those players can receive contracts between one and four years.

Detroit used its EFO on forward Daryl Watts.

While the team had interest in Knight, the interest wasn’t reciprocated. Knight had her sights set on Detroit and did not want to play in Las Vegas, according to the source.

Knight, 36, is a five-time Olympian and won her second gold medal as captain of the Team USA during the Winter Olympics in Milan this year. She scored the tying goal in the gold medal game against Canada. The U.S. went on to win 2-1 in overtime.

This will be Knight’s third team in four years. She played her first two seasons with the Boston Fleet, then signed with the Torrent last season. After tying for the league lead with 29 points in 30 games last season, Knight had 14 points in 22 games with Seattle.

Though Las Vegas doesn’t get the biggest name in women’s hockey on its roster, the team is getting a second first-round pick in what will be a talented draft class at the top.

Abbey Murphy (Minnesota), Laila Edwards (Wisconsin) and Tessa Janecke (Penn State) are expected to go in the top five.

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