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Who Is Laila Edwards? The Hockey Star Set to Become the First Black Women to Compete in the Winter Olympics for Team USA
Laila Edwards is officially headed for the history books.
The rising hockey star is set to become the first Black woman to represent Team USA in ice hockey at the Winter Olympics after being named to the 23-player roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Her groundbreaking selection was announced live on the TODAY show on January 2, marking a major milestone not just for Edwards, but for the sport as a whole.
“It still hasn’t really kicked in yet. Getting that call is like a dream come true,” Edwards told the Associated Press. “Always had dreams of playing in the pros, but the biggest dream was to go the Olympics, for sure.”
At just 21 years old, Edwards has already built an extraordinary résumé — and she’s done it fast. She first made waves in 2023 when she became the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women’s senior national team. Just a year later, she made history again, becoming the youngest American ever to be named Most Valuable Player at the IIHF Women’s World Championship at age 20, helping Team USA secure its 11th world title last April.
A native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Edwards’ journey to the top started early. She began figure skating at just 3 years old before switching to hockey at age 5. With limited opportunities for girls where she lived, Edwards played on boys’ teams for years, standing out both for her talent and her presence.
Her path took a major turn in eighth grade when she left Ohio and moved to New York to attend Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester, a powerhouse program known for developing elite hockey talent. From there, her rise only accelerated.
Now a senior at the University of Wisconsin, Edwards plays for both the Badgers and the U.S. national team. Standing at 6 feet tall, she’s known for her versatility on the ice. The official Olympic website describes her as a “rare two-way player who can contribute in both defense and as a forward,” a skill set that has made her one of Team USA’s most valuable assets.
While Edwards’ accomplishments are undeniable, she’s been open about the challenges that come with being a trailblazer. In an essay for Wisconsin’s Forging Firsts series, she reflected on growing up as a Black girl in a predominantly white sport — and what it felt like to constantly stand out.
“I assumed this would go away when I started playing on an all-girls team at the boarding school, but it didn’t,” she wrote. “While I loved my team, there were moments – like when they shared makeup routines – that highlighted my difference. None of the products they used matched my skin tone. Early on, all of this made it challenging for me to find myself and who I was comfortable being.”
Edwards also addressed the pressure of knowing her identity can sometimes overshadow her achievements.
“Will others see the sacrifices and dedication that got me here?” she wrote. “Will they understand the discipline demanded to attend 5am practices or the courage required to leave my loved ones to pursue my passion?”
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