Overview

• Laila Edwards, a sophomore at Wisconsin, is set to become the first Black player for the U.S. women's national hockey team, making her debut in a seven-game series against Canada.
• Edwards has received support from NFL star Travis Kelce, who hails from the same hometown, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Kelce has publicly expressed his admiration for Edwards and her trailblazing career.
• Edwards has had a successful career so far, being fifth in scoring for Wisconsin with 18 points in 12 games this season, and was named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie team in her freshman year.
• She was a member of the U18 team that won a silver at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship and is the only member of the current roster making her Team USA debut.
• Edwards hopes to inspire the next generation of women of color in sports, stating there are not many people who look like her in the field to be idolized.