Hilary Knight optimistic over potential formation of women's professional hockey league

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Patience remains the operative word from Hilary Knight on the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association’s long-awaited bid to launch its own professional league.

"I’m not anxious yet. You know, I’m on the board, so I get a little peek behind the curtain so to speak," one of USA Hockey’s most decorated and longest-serving players told The Associated Press this week.

The PWHPA — now a certified union — is in negotiations with its corporate partners (Billie Jean King Enterprises and Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter) to hammer out a collective bargaining agreement.

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United States forward Hilary Knight, center, holds the cup as she celebrates with teammates after defeating Canada in the gold medal game at the womens world hockey championships in Brampton, Ontario, April 16, 2023. Patience remains the operative word from United States star Knight on the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association’s long-awaited bid to launch its own pro league.  (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

"I know people who aren’t necessarily in the mix are like, `What’s going to happen next year? How’s this going to work? It’s already mid-June.′ And I totally get that," Knight said. "So I’m excited about this year. I think that’s all I can say."

Knight's assessment follows a recent letter the PWHPA sent to its membership saying it is at "the finish line" of negotiations with only a few details left to resolve, and has already begun touring potential arena sites in both the U.S. and Canada. A person with direct knowledge of the letter confirmed its contents to The AP on Friday