Cleveland Heights Celebrates Local Hockey Star
Cleveland Heights plans to raise a banner honoring Laila Edwards, the Olympic gold medalist who learned to play hockey at the local Community Center ice rink. Edwards boasts two NCAA national championships with Wisconsin, an IIHF World Championship title, and a fresh Olympic gold from the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
Edwards’ Remarkable Journey
A Cleveland Heights native, Edwards grew up competing against boys on the Community Center rink. At age 13, she moved to Rochester, New York, to attend Bishop Kearney High School and focus on hockey. As a 6-foot-1 senior forward for Wisconsin, she contributed to three national championship appearances, securing two victories.
In 2023, Edwards made history as the first Black woman to play for the United States women’s national team. During the Olympics, she played a pivotal role in the U.S. team’s overtime comeback win against Canada, securing gold after setting up Hilary Knight for the game-tying goal late in the third period.
Honoring Achievements at Home
Christopher Kendel, assistant commissioner of parks and recreation for Cleveland Heights, confirmed the banner will hang in the rink’s rafters. “There are other ideas we want to do within the rink to honor her accomplishments, and we’ve been having that conversation with her dad,” Kendel said. “We want to get some replicas of her Team USA jersey and her jersey at Wisconsin.”
Despite her distant triumphs, visible tributes at the rink have been limited compared to other local champions from the past 50 years.
Kelce Brothers Highlight the Oversight
Two Cleveland Heights natives and Edwards fans, Jason Kelce, former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman, and Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end, noted the gap during a recent episode of their “New Heights” podcast. Wearing Team USA jerseys, they discussed her accomplishments.
“Best athlete out of Cleveland Heights,” Jason Kelce declared, echoing Edwards’ comments on Kylie Kelce’s podcast during the Olympics.
Travis Kelce joked, “I’m just gonna say, Laila, I’ve got two banners up in the Cleveland Heights hockey rink. I’m not sure how many banners you have.” His banners stem from youth hockey tournament wins.
Travis added, “I’ll tell you what, man, she has a f—ing shot.” He praised her humility as a true Heights trait: “Shoutout to Laila one more time for bringing home some gold not only for the USA but for the old Heights, baby. Because you know how proud we all are once you grow up in the Heights.”
Community Support and Future Plans
The Cleveland Heights Community Center hosted viewing parties for Team USA’s opening game against Finland and the gold medal finale against Canada. “We couldn’t be prouder,” Kendel stated. The mayor shared on social media that the city aims to roll out the red carpet for Edwards and her family when the time is right.
Edwards remains connected to the center with a monthly gym membership for workouts during school breaks. Kendel laughed about upgrading it: “Well, you know, I would advocate for that! We should probably make it a golden membership pass. The only requirement is you have to be a gold medal winner.”
