Laila Edwards is making history after earning a spot on Team USA’s women’s ice hockey roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. At just 21 years old, she will become the first Black woman to represent the United States in women’s ice hockey at the Olympic Games.
Edwards, a senior at the University of Wisconsin, was named to the 23-player roster for the Milano Cortina Games, scheduled to run from February 6 to February 22. Team USA officially announced the lineup on Friday, January 2, confirming her inclusion in the historic squad, according to Black Enterprise.
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A native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Edwards has risen rapidly through the ranks of elite hockey. She first joined the U.S. women’s national team at age 19, becoming the first Black woman to earn a place on the senior squad. Her breakthrough continued the following year when she achieved another milestone on the international stage.
At just 20 years old, Edwards became the youngest American to win the Most Valuable Player award at the IIHF Women’s World Championships. Her outstanding performance helped lead the United States to its 11th world championship title last April. In doing so, she also became the first Black woman to win an IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Reacting to her Olympic selection, Edwards described the moment as overwhelming and surreal.
“It still hasn’t really kicked in yet. Getting that call is like a dream come true,” she said. “I always had dreams of playing professionally, but the biggest dream was to go to the Olympics for sure.”
Edwards will join a roster filled with seasoned stars, including Alex Carpenter, Megan Keller, Taylor Heise, and Cayla Barnes, as Team USA prepares for another medal run on the world stage.
As the Games draw closer, Edwards’ family hopes to travel to Italy to witness the historic moment in person. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover travel expenses. The message on the page reads, “We are asking for your help now so that we can be there to cheer Laila, to surround her with the love and support of family.” The fundraiser has already generated nearly $19,000 in donations.
With her selection, Edwards continues to break barriers and inspire a new generation of athletes, proving that representation and excellence can go hand in hand on the global stage.
