Laila Edwards

Laila Edwards (born January 25, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a defender for PWHL San Jose of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and a member of the United States women's national ice hockey team. She has won two World Championship medals, including gold at the 2025 World Championship and silver at the 2024 World Championship, where she was named Tournament MVP at age 20, becoming the youngest player to receive the honor. In 2023, Edwards made history as the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women's senior national team. She later became the first Black woman to score for Team USA at both the 2024 World Championships and the 2026 Winter Olympics, where she also became the team's first Black gold medalist. At the collegiate level, Edwards has won three NCAA national championships with Wisconsin (2023, 2025, 2026). She was a Patty Kazmaier Award top-three finalist in 2025 and led the nation with 35 goals during her junior season. Edwards won the Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award in 2024.