(NEXSTAR) - Hilary Knight, a four-time Olympic medalist, continues to lead Team USA's women's ice hockey team as they prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Knight, who has been with Team USA since 2006, is regarded as a role model by her teammates and is determined to help her team capture another gold medal. She reflects on her journey from a newcomer to a mentor and the honor of representing the United States on the world stage. "It's special," Knight said about being a role model and teaching others to find success. "You want that for them so badly. And so if you can have a small hand in helping that in any way and have a positive impact, you're doing something right." Knight's Olympic career began at the 2010 Vancouver Games, where she was the youngest member of the silver medal-winning team. She has since become the most senior member of Team USA, earning additional silver medals in 2014 and 2022, and a gold medal in 2018. Her journey in ice hockey started after moving from California to Illinois, where she began skating and playing hockey to meet other kids in the community. Hockey became a constant in her life, leading her to a decorated career. Reflecting on her favorite Olympic moment, Knight recalls winning gold in 2018, a victory that came after 20 years of near misses for Team USA. "To bring and capture gold again, bring that back to the United States was just, so monumental for us," she said. As Knight continues her illustrious career, she remains focused on the upcoming Olympics and the opportunity to once again represent her country. Her leadership and dedication serve as an inspiration to her teammates and aspiring athletes alike. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published