Laila Edwards
Awards & Honours
8
Awards Won
6
Honours
2
Rankings
2
Covers
5
Records
Laila Edwards has shattered barriers and set records at an astonishingly young age. She is the first Black woman to play for, score for, and win Olympic gold with the U.S. women's hockey team. At 20, she became the youngest player ever named Tournament MVP at the IIHF Women's World Championship. She has won three NCAA titles in four years and was a Patty Kazmaier Award finalist. Her game-winning goal in the 2026 Olympic gold medal game cemented her place in history. Edwards's combination of skill, poise, and historic firsts makes her one of the most celebrated young athletes in hockey.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
First Black woman to play for U.S. senior national team
Became the first Black woman to wear the USA sweater in an official game.
First Black woman to score a goal for Team USA at IIHF Women's World Championship
Scored three goals in the tournament, including the semifinal game-winner.
First Black woman to score a goal for Team USA at Winter Olympics
Scored two goals in the tournament, including the gold-medal game winner.
First Black woman on a USA hockey team to win Olympic gold
Won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Youngest player to win IIHF Women's World Championship Tournament MVP
Awarded MVP at age 20.
Patty Kazmaier Award top-three finalist
Named a top-three finalist for the award given to the top women's collegiate hockey player.
Rankings & Lists
Future Watch list for women's hockey prospects
Top 50 Most Influential Women in Sports
Magazine Covers
The Hockey News
March 2025
The First: Laila Edwards and the New Face of American Hockey
Sports Illustrated
February 2026
Golden: Laila Edwards Leads USA to Olympic Glory
Records & Feats
First Black woman to play for U.S. senior national team
Became the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women's senior national team in 2023.
First Black woman to score a goal for Team USA at World Championship
Scored three goals at the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship.
First Black woman to score a goal for Team USA at Olympics
Scored two goals at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
First Black woman on a USA hockey team to win Olympic gold
Won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Youngest player to win IIHF Women's World Championship Tournament MVP
Awarded MVP at age 20 in 2024.