Laila Edwards's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Laila Edwards. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Laila Edwards is an accomplished American college ice hockey player at the University of Wisconsin and a key member of the United States women's national ice hockey team. She has secured two World Championship medals: gold in 2025 and silver in 2024, where she earned the Tournament MVP title at just 20 years old, making her the youngest ever to achieve this recognition. Edwards broke barriers in 2023 as the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women's senior national team. Further cementing her legacy, she is also the first Black woman to score a goal for Team USA at the World Championships in 2024 and the Winter Olympics in 2026.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2022: Represented the United States at IIHF World Women's U18 Championship

In 2022, Laila Edwards represented the United States at the IIHF World Women's U18 Championship where she was an alternate captain. She led the team in scoring, with four goals and four assists in five games and won a silver medal. Following the tournament she was named the tournament's most valuable player, best forward and named to the All-Tournament team.

November 2023: Named to United States Women's National Ice Hockey Team

In November 2023, Laila Edwards was named to the United States women's national ice hockey team for the November Rivalry Series against Canada, becoming the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women's senior national team.

2023: Won NCAA Championship and Named to All-Tournament Team

During the 2023 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey tournament, Laila Edwards recorded four goals and one assist to help Wisconsin win their seventh national championship. She was subsequently named to the NCAA All-Tournament team.

2023: First Black Woman on U.S. Women's Senior National Team

In 2023, Laila Edwards made history as the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women's senior national team.

2023: Won NCAA National Championship with Wisconsin Badgers

In 2023, Laila Edwards won an NCAA national championship with the Wisconsin Badgers.

March 31, 2024: Named to United States Roster for IIHF Women's World Championship

On March 31, 2024, Laila Edwards was named to the United States roster for the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship, becoming the first Black woman to play for the United States at the IIHF World Women's Championship.

April 5, 2024: First Black Woman to Score a Goal for Team USA at IIHF World Women's Championship

On April 5, 2024, during a preliminary round game against Czechia, Laila Edwards became the first Black woman to score a goal for team USA at the IIHF World Women's Championship.

May 29, 2024: Recipient of USA Hockey Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award

On May 29, 2024, Laila Edwards was named the recipient of the USA Hockey Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award.

2024: Won Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award

In 2024, Laila Edwards won the Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award.

2024: Named Tournament MVP at World Championship

In 2024, at the age of 20, Laila Edwards was named the Tournament MVP at the World Championship.

2025: Named to All-WCHA First Team and Patty Kazmaier Award Finalist

During her junior year in the 2024-2025 season, Laila Edwards recorded 35 goals and 36 assists in 41 games. Following the season she was named to the All-WCHA First Team and a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award. During the semifinals of the 2025 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey tournament, she recorded a hat-trick to help Wisconsin advance to the national championship game for the third consecutive season.

2025: Patty Kazmaier Award Finalist

In 2025, Laila Edwards was a top-three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award.

2025: Won Gold at World Championship

In 2025, Laila Edwards won a gold medal at the World Championship.

January 2, 2026: Named to Team USA's Roster for 2026 Winter Olympics

On January 2, 2026, Laila Edwards was named to team USA's roster to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the first Black woman to play hockey for team USA at the Olympics. During the team's last group stage game against Canada, Edwards scored the fifth goal lifting the U.S. to a 5-0 shutout against their rivals.