Laila Edwards will make history at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina when she becomes the first Black woman to represent the United States in Olympic hockey.

The University of Wisconsin defenseman was named to USA’s 23-player roster announced on the TODAY Show marking another milestone in a career already defined by breaking barriers.

Edwards, standing at 6-foot-1, became the first Black woman to play for Team USA in 2023 at the IIHF World Championships. Her debut tournament proved exceptional as she earned MVP honors through her standout performance.

Since that breakthrough, Edwards has undergone a significant positional change that has reshaped her role with the national team. Originally a forward, she transitioned to defense where her combination of size and hockey IQ found its perfect home. She now anchors USA’s top defensive rotation and has become a fixture on the power play with the versatility that makes her invaluable to the American system.

Her teammates have taken notice of both her on-ice contributions and her character off it. “Laila’s such a bright star, she does everything right on and off the ice, and so it’s really a privilege to be able to be one of her teammates and to see her grow,” said USA captain Hilary Knight who has been following Edwards’ continued success at Wisconsin throughout the college season.

Edwards will be surrounded by a roster built for gold

Edwards will be surrounded by a deep and talented group when USA takes the ice in Italy. This year’s roster has a careful balance between championship experience and emerging talent with general manager Katie Million and her staff selecting from an incredibly deep player pool.

Up front, the Americans boast firepower in veteran leaders Hilary Knight and Kendall Coyne Schofield headline a forward group that includes proven PWHL performers Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka, Taylor Heise, Kelly Pannek, Britta Curl-Salemme, Grace Zumwinkle and Hayley Scamurra.

The forward corps also gains additional depth from the NCAA ranks where Abbey Murphy, Tessa Janecke, Kirsten Simms and Joy Dunne have established themselves as elite talents. 

The defensive unit features Edwards alongside a mix of proven veterans and rising stars. Megan Keller and Lee Stecklein provide the steady veteran presence on the blueline having been through the pressure of major international tournaments.

They are joined by Caroline Harvey, Cayla Barnes, Rory Guilday and Haley Winn, who has emerged as one of the most dominant defenders in professional women’s hockey this season. Winn currently leads all PWHL players in time on ice and has formed a formidable pairing with Keller at the professional level.

Between the pipes, USA has opted for continuity and proven performance. The goaltending trio of Aerin Frankel, Gwyneth Philips and Ava McNaughton remains unchanged from the group that represented the Americans at the 2025 World Championships in Czechia. Frankel and Philips were particularly crucial in that tournament helping secure gold medal victory over Canada and establishing themselves among the world’s elite netminders.

Team USA has already built momentum heading into Milano

The Americans head to Italy riding a wave of confidence built during the recent Rivalry Series against Canada. Across four games, USA dominated their traditional rivals with a combined 24-7 scoreline that showed off both offensive firepower and defensive structure.

The highlight came in the third game when the Americans exploded for 10 goals setting a record for the most ever scored by Team USA against Canada in a single game. The series provided both a measuring stick and a confidence boost heading into Olympic preparation.

“Our staff has spent the past few months evaluating our incredible player pool and while the depth of the group makes these decisions incredibly hard, we are so excited for this team to compete in Milan,” said general manager Katie Million following the roster announcement. “This team brings excitement, passion and pride, and will represent the United States proudly as they look to win gold come February.”

Laila Edwards set for professional debut after Olympics

Edwards was selected as one of just three USA Hockey representatives alongside NHL star Jack Hughes and Paralympics legend Declan Farmer, to participate in the live roster announcement.

For Edwards personally, the Olympics represent another chapter before she turns professional. She is projected as a first-round selection in the 2026 PWHL Draft with her size, skill set and international experience making her one of the most sought-after prospects in women’s hockey. 

The Olympic stage will provide one final showcase of her abilities before she joins the professional ranks.

USA will open Olympic competition against Czechia on February 5 beginning their quest for gold in Milano Cortina. When Edwards steps onto the ice that day, she will carry the distinction of being the first Black woman to represent the United States in Olympic hockey adding another historic achievement to a resume that continues to grow with each passing season.