Teammates of US hockey captain Hilary Knight only discovered she was engaged after spotting the news on social media while in the locker room.
Knight proposed to her girlfriend Brittany Bowe – an Olympic speed skater – shortly before leading USA to a gold medal with victory over Canada.
But, for a while, the 36-year-old hid the news from the rest of the team, with forward Tayor Heise revealing that they only found out after someone looked on their phone.
‘We were in the locker room and she went and had a meeting with our coach, but must’ve posted it right then and no one had seen it,’ Heise told PEOPLE.
‘And, all of a sudden, someone pulls out their phone and goes: “Oh my god, Hilary’s engaged!” Everyone in the locker room went absolutely berserk.’
Heise, 25, said teammates instantly attempted to find Knight. The 36-year-old eventually made it back to the locker room, where she was mobbed in celebrations.
Hilary Knight celebrates after scoring against Canada in the Winter Olympics gold medal match
Knight kept news of her engagement to speed skater Brittany Bowe from her teammates
‘Everyone got to give her a hug and there’s just tears everywhere,’ Heise said. ‘She deserves the world, so we love her and we love Britt.’
Knight and Bowe met at the Covid-affected 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, with their first date taking place at a social distance while both wore masks.
The couple announced their engagement on Instagram on February 18 – a day before the gold medal match against Canada.
‘Olympics brought us together. This one made us forever,’ Knight wrote alongside a video of her getting down on one knee. Both athletes have said this will be their final Olympics.
Forward Hannah Bilka claimed Knight proposed to Bowe, 37, shortly before practice ahead of the final. Against Canada, Knight scored the crucial goal that tied the game and sparked an American comeback.
Team USA came from 1-0 down to win 2-1, with Knight’s goal making her the country’s all-time leader in women’s Olympic scoring.
‘[They’re] two incredible humans that deserve [this] more than anything,’ Abbey Murphy told PEOPLE. ‘The way we found out [was] a little interesting, but we know Hilary, she’s a secretive lady.’