Being 21 years old is a balancing act, no matter how you slice it. However, for Team USA women's hockey player Laila Edwards, the acrobatic approach to her busy student-athlete life is nothing short of chaos. Yet, she maintains her calm, cool and collected demeanor always, by being mindful about the task directly in front of her.
It's helped me to really be 100% present in wherever I am. So, if that's class, just focus on class. Don't worry about practice with USA or Wisconsin. And then when I'm in my Wisconsin games, focus on that. And then once I get to USA, it's like, flip a switch.
Edwards makes "flipping a switch" sound as seamless as her skating across the ice. However, in addition to her commitments with the U.S. women's hockey national team and her college team, the Wisconsin Badgers, there's also the need to study for her major in social work and enjoy life as a college kid. Balancing it all is something she said she's still working on and getting better at it. "Just trying to find time, but also time for myself and to hang out with friends that don't involve any of that," Edwards said.
The weight of it all never seems to phase the college senior, at least to the outside world, as she's bulldozed barriers to create a spectacular career so far. She made history in 2023 when she became the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women's national hockey team and said she feels grateful to be a role model for younger athletes. "That's like the number one thing that motivates me to keep going, so they can see someone that looks like them, but also someone that looks like them succeeding at the highest level," Edwards said.
The Cleveland Heights, Ohio native was three years old when her dad first put her on ice skates, just as she was learning to walk. And so began the family's love affair with the sport. "Hockey has been pretty much my whole life, I have three other siblings that played it, and my younger brother still plays, it's taken me so many places, and having met so many people and do so many cool things," Edwards said.
She said she figure skated until she was around 9 years old, but then decided to exclusively play hockey. The rising superstar joined the Pittsburgh Penguins elite girls hockey program and simultaneously played on a boys team back home in Cleveland. Edwards attended boarding school in Rochester, New York and is now a senior, studying social work at the University of Wisconsin and, of course, playing hockey.
The 6'0" forward turned defenseman has more than left her mark on college hockey. She's a two-time NCAA National Champion and a first-team All American to name a few of her top accolades — all accomplished while also competing for the U.S. women's ice hockey team.
Now, she's checked off yet another first — she will be the first Black woman to compete for the U.S. women's hockey team at the Olympics.
To be able to represent my country at the greatest sporting event in the world, doesn't get much better. It makes sacrifices worth it, and hopefully it's making my family proud and everyone who helped me get here.
Edwards has been a cornerstone for Team USA's recent success on the global stage. Most recently, she excelled on both ends in the sweep of Canada in this year's Rivalry Series. She scored two goals and tallied four assists, while also helping to put a defensive stronghold on Canada. The Northern rivals only scored seven goals during the entire tournament.
At the 2024 IIHF Women's Ice Hockey World Championships, Edwards was the named Tournament MVP after she scored a tournament-high six goals en route to a silver medal for the U.S. In 2025, she helped the U.S. win gold at worlds by anchoring the American defense, after she transitioned from her forward position on the team.
In true Edwards laid-back fashion, she's not only looking forward to the competition in Milan, but also to the food. "I love Italian food. I love pizza but I'm going to go with a pasta dish, something like bolognese," Edwards said.
However, there's one thing the six-footer certainly is not laid-back about and that's competing with Canada.
I think it's one of the greatest rivalries in sports. We definitely have a respect for each other, which I think plays a big part of it. We hate each other so much in the most respectful way.
Edwards, like many of her teammates, said the level of elite hockey played when the two teams go head-to-head is very entertaining for fans. And on the ice, she says the rivalry brings out the best in her performance as well. "It brings out a whole new player, I think for me, like when the pressure is on, I like to rise to the occasion," Edwards said.
The question many have on their mind going into this Olympics is can the U.S. finally take down Canada for an Olympic gold? Since women's hockey debuted at the Games in 1998, every gold has been won either by the U.S. or Canada. The Canadians dominate the gold-medal count, 5-2. However, after a 2025 world title and a Rivalry Series sweep, this could be the year the U.S. adds another Olympic title in women's hockey. "I think we have the right puzzle pieces, and we're more than capable of putting the puzzle together," Edwards said.
Team USA faces off on Feb. 5, 2026 against Czechia at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena to begin Olympic competition.