Women's hockey captain Hilary Knight proposes to speed skater Brittany Bowe at Olympics

MILAN, ITALY: US women's Hockey captain, Hilary Knight, surprised her partner, speed skater Brittany Bowe, by proposing just one day before the gold medal game against Canada.

The couple shared the news on Wednesday, February 18, on Instagram with a video of the proposal.

Hockey captain proposes before gold medal game

The couple officially shared the engagement news through an Instagram video captioned, “Olympics brought us together,” which shows Knight surprising Bowe with a ring and the speed skater nodding an emotional yes. 

Knight had been planning this for months and felt that the Milan Cortina Games were the perfect place to ask the question. 

Since both athletes are retiring after this year, Knight wanted to celebrate their relationship where it all began. 

Knight said, “It’s been in the back of my mind for a few months now.” She explained that since they met through the Olympics, it felt right to “tie the knot” during their final trip. 

She added, “We met through the Olympics and just being a part of the Olympic spirit and the journey, I thought it would be a really full-circle moment for both of us considering it’s our last time through to be able to celebrate it here and tie the knot.”

Hilary Knight enlists Brittany Bowe’s sister to keep secret proposal under wraps

To make sure Bowe didn't find the ring in their bags, Knight, a four-time Olympic medalist, had Bowe’s sister carry it to Italy and hand it over after a hockey game. 

Knight picked a quiet spot outside the athletes' village to propose so they could enjoy the moment before telling their families. 

Knight said, “The sister knew but our families, we didn’t tell them.” She explained that they kept it a secret because they “didn’t want anything to get out there because everyone would be super excited about it.” 

When Knight finally told her teammates, they were incredibly happy for her. Forward Kendall Coyne Schofield said, “I almost fell off the table this morning when she told me. I’ve been like a little kid all morning. We haven’t seen Brit yet, but I can’t wait to see her, so we’re very excited.”

Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe first met at 2018 Olympics

The two athletes first met at the 2018 Olympics and grew closer during the 2022 Beijing Games by taking long walks together. 

While Knight is busy chasing another gold medal, Bowe is getting ready for her final race on Friday. 

Bowe said, “It’s been a really fun journey the past four years, to be able to celebrate each other’s accomplishments.” 

She added, “It’s really been fun for me to be a fan, to be able to go to different Team USA events and not be the one stressed out about having to compete. Being able to be a fan is a new role that I’ve been able to take on here and there. It’s just been so much fun to be able to do this together.”