Cleveland Heights, Ohio, native Laila Edwards is gliding into history. At just 22, she is the first Black woman hockey player to compete for Team USA at the Olympic Games, an achievement that’s already made waves far beyond the rink. Her journey to the international stage even caught the attention of Travis and Jason Kelce, who helped make it possible for Edwards’s family to travel to Milan Cortina to watch her compete.
Off the ice, Edwards is just as impressive. A proud Badger at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she balances elite athletics with academics. After spending most of her career as a forward, Edwards made the transition to defense in recent years, an evolution that’s helped cement her spot as “the future of the US women’s hockey team.”
Here, Edwards — a Red Bull athlete — talked to theSkimm about fulfilling her Olympic dream, staying grounded amid the spotlight, the importance of representation, and what it means to skate on the world’s biggest stage.
On fulfilling her dream of being an Olympian
“It’s still so surreal. It’s something I’ve dreamt about since I was 10 ... I’ve been a part of the national team for almost three years now. And I’ve been progressing ever since. I joined with great coaching staff and great leaders to learn from, and trials were going well. I just knew if I stayed on the right path and was consistent, I’d have a good chance.”
On juggling school, hockey, and newfound attention
“It’s really been important to just be present where I am, whether that’s in the interview, in practice, or in class. Just getting the most out of where I’m at. I can’t worry about the past or the future. [It] doesn't do me any good.
Planning for shorter-term goals at this time in my career has been more beneficial than long-term. Obviously I grew up with the long-term goals of going to the Olympics, things like that. But in terms of where I’m at now … I don’t have to worry too much about what’s far ahead, and [I can] just take things shorter increments at a time.”
About life on the ice
“I got on skates when I was 3 years old. My dad played hockey, so he got us [Edwards and her older sister, Chayla, a former defensive player for the Wisconsin Badgers hockey team] into hockey as soon as we could walk. He had us on figure skates, but he also had us doing public skating and hockey skating as well. He had us on the ice as much as he could so that when I went to just hockey, I’d be a better skater. He had his whole plan that I didn’t know about at the time, but I’d say it’s working out.”
On representation
“I think representation’s everything. It could be the difference in someone joining your sport or not. I’m that representation or that role model for someone. If I would’ve had that growing up, maybe things would’ve been different or easier. But just to be able to be that for someone else is an honor.”
On the Kelce brothers
“I mean, obviously they’re pretty mainstream people and athletes, so just for them to do something so down to earth for someone who’s not as big of a deal as them, I thought was really cool. It just shows that they're good guys outside of athletes.”
On what she’s looking forward to at the Olympics
“I think just going to the biggest sporting event in the world, getting to represent your country, and doing a sport you love and have done your whole life, it’s so cool. And getting to be amongst other very talented athletes in their respected sports. I think the community here is going to be awesome, and I'm just really excited.”
On celebrating a big win
“Typically after, in the locker room or either just playing music, I'll get along dancing. It depends what it is. If it’s at the end of the weekend, then maybe we’ll go out and have some fun. Winning isn't easy, so celebrating it as much as we can is a big deal.”
On her …
Current music obsession: Billie Eilish, Drake
Bookmarked: Freida McFadden
Role model: LeBron James. “He is obviously one of the best players in the world, but he’s always received hate no matter what. He just took that as a motivation and continuously got better. And obviously he’s the oldest player in the league, but he’s still doing well. I really respect how he persevered through everything in his younger days.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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