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Laila Edwards is formally headed for the historical past books.
The rising hockey star is ready to grow to be the primary Black lady to characterize Staff USA in ice hockey on the Winter Olympics after being named to the 23-player roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Video games. Her groundbreaking choice was introduced reside on the TODAY present on January 2, marking a significant milestone not only for Edwards, however for the game as an entire.
“It nonetheless hasn’t actually kicked in but. Getting that decision is sort of a dream come true,” Edwards advised the Related Press. “All the time had goals of taking part in within the professionals, however the largest dream was to go the Olympics, for positive.”
At simply 21 years previous, Edwards has already constructed a unprecedented résumé — and he or she’s carried out it quick. She first made waves in 2023 when she grew to become the primary Black lady to play for the U.S. ladies’s senior nationwide crew. Only a yr later, she made historical past once more, turning into the youngest American ever to be named Most Useful Participant on the IIHF Girls’s World Championship at age 20, serving to Staff USA safe its eleventh world title final April.
A local of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Edwards’ journey to the highest began early. She started determine skating at simply 3 years previous earlier than switching to hockey at age 5. With restricted alternatives for women the place she lived, Edwards performed on boys’ groups for years, standing out each for her expertise and her presence.
Her path took a significant flip in eighth grade when she left Ohio and moved to New York to attend Bishop Kearney Excessive Faculty in Rochester, a powerhouse program recognized for creating elite hockey expertise. From there, her rise solely accelerated.
Now a senior on the College of Wisconsin, Edwards performs for each the Badgers and the U.S. nationwide crew. Standing at 6 toes tall, she’s recognized for her versatility on the ice. The official Olympic web site describes her as a “uncommon two-way participant who can contribute in each protection and as a ahead,” a ability set that has made her certainly one of Staff USA’s most precious belongings.
Whereas Edwards’ accomplishments are simple, she’s been open in regards to the challenges that include being a trailblazer. In an essay for Wisconsin’s Forging Firsts collection, she mirrored on rising up as a Black lady in a predominantly white sport — and what it felt wish to consistently stand out.
“I assumed this might go away once I began taking part in on an all-girls crew on the boarding college, nevertheless it didn’t,” she wrote. “Whereas I liked my crew, there have been moments – like after they shared make-up routines – that highlighted my distinction. Not one of the merchandise they used matched my pores and skin tone. Early on, all of this made it difficult for me to search out myself and who I used to be snug being.”
Edwards additionally addressed the stress of realizing her identification can typically overshadow her achievements.
“Will others see the sacrifices and dedication that bought me right here?” she wrote. “Will they perceive the self-discipline demanded to attend 5am practices or the braveness required to go away my family members to pursue my ardour?”
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