April 4th 2024.
At just 20 years old, Laila Edwards has already made history as the first Black woman to represent Team USA at a world championship in hockey. Her impressive skills on the ice have earned her a spot on the 23-player roster, and she proudly took to the ice in her first game against Switzerland on April 3rd. This monumental moment was described by The Athletic as her official arrival on the international stage, and Laila couldn't be more honored to have this platform.
After the game, Laila shared her excitement, stating, "I'm super honored to have made the national team. It's a great step, and being able to represent Team USA at the World Championships is a further step in the right direction. I hope this progress continues." Laila's journey to the national team began in November of last year when she made history as the first Black woman to wear the team's jersey during the Rivalry Series against Canada. Her coach, John Wroblewski, praised her unique talent, saying, "I don't think there's another woman like her in the game right now."
At 6-foot-1, Laila stands tall among her teammates, including seasoned veterans like Kelly Pannek and Hayley Scamurra. Her impressive skills were evident in her sophomore season at the University of Wisconsin, where she finished among the top 10 scorers in the NCAA. Laila is a bottom-six forward, and her height makes her the tallest player on the national team. As previously featured by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Laila's love for hockey began at a young age when she would figure skate with her older sister in their hometown of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Laila's talent and dedication to the sport were recognized early on when she was declared top forward and MVP at the 2022 U18 women's worlds tournament with USA Hockey. The Athletic noted, "Nobody on Team USA had more points; nobody in the world had more goals." This remarkable achievement not only celebrates Laila's individual success but also breaks barriers for future generations of Black women in hockey. Laila hopes that her accomplishment will pave the way for more diversity in the sport and expressed that it's a "great feeling" to be a trailblazer. She hopes that her success "continues to flood" in the upcoming years, inspiring more athletes to follow their dreams.
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