DETROIT – It’s all smiles for Hilary Knight and Megan Keller, back on the ice with Team USA, now that the drama off the ice has been resolved.
“It’s a storybook ending to be honest,” Knight said. “Obviously, it was tough to put up missing the Worlds, but USA hockey stepped up and made a significant commitment to us for support and we’re really excited everything worked out.”
Excited also for the strides made for women in their sport. The ladies of the U.S. Women’s National Team asked for fair wages, equal treatment and support to develop young female players. Everything the men’s team receives.
They vowed to boycott the World Tournament if it didn’t happen. Every player in agreement, no one else in the country willing to play in the ladies’ place.
“It’s a testament to how much of this team is a family, from the players, to the entire player pool. How united everyone was, was amazing,” Megan Keller said.
The team had support from other female athletes, from members of Congress, and the MLB and NHL players associations.
The Hashtag #BeBoldForChange became a rallying cry.
Then, two days before the tournament began, a new four-year deal was reached. Score one for the women.
“It’s a dream come true to have a legacy that sets a foundation for the next generation,” Knight said. “I hope they continue to build on this.”
Now, the team is back to doing what they do best. So far, they’re 3-0 in the IIHF World tournament and the Number-1 seed.
Thursday night, they square off with Germany in the semifinals.
Megan Keller is a Farmington Hills native, the only Michigander on the team.
“This is the first world championships that my parents are able to see in person,” Keller said “It’s 10 minutes from my home, so it’s really great.”
It’s been a whirlwind year for this team. The off-ice struggle, they say, only made them stronger for the World Tournament and onward to the 2018 Olympics.