MILAN, Italy —In a historic moment for American sports, Laila Edwards has etched her name into the record books. The 22-year-old defenseman and her Team USA teammates defeated their archrivals, Canada, 2-1 in a thrilling overtime final to capture the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. With this victory, Edwards becomes the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal in hockey while playing for the United States .

The atmosphere in Milan’s Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena was electric as the Americans mounted a dramatic comeback. Down by a single goal with just over two minutes left in regulation, the team’s fortunes changed when Edwards fired a shot from the blue line. Captain Hilary Knight tipped the puck past Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens, tying the game and forcing sudden-death overtime . Four minutes into the extra period, Megan Keller scored on a breakaway to seal the victory and send the American bench into a frenzy .

This gold medal win marks Team USA’s first Olympic title since 2018 and adds another unforgettable chapter to the intense USA-Canada hockey rivalry. For Edwards, it represents the culmination of a remarkable journey that began in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and has now made her a role model for young athletes across the nation.

Laila Edwards Olympic History Black Hockey Player

Edwards’ achievement extends far beyond the scoreboard. She made history even before stepping onto the Olympic ice, having become the first Black woman to play hockey for Team USA at the Winter Games when the tournament opened earlier this month . Now, she stands as the first Black American woman to claim hockey gold.

The significance of the moment was not lost on those watching. Throughout the tournament, Edwards showcased the skill that has made her one of the most exciting young players in the sport. She finished the Olympic competition with seven points, tallying two goals and five assists while playing significant minutes on the blue line . Her performance drew praise from teammates and opponents alike.

In the gold medal game, Edwards and Team Canada’s Sarah Nurse and Sophie Jaques took the ice together, marking a powerful moment for diversity in a sport that has historically lacked representation . Nurse, who won gold with Canada in 2022, was the first Black woman to achieve that feat.

“This is a time when we really need encouragement,” Dena Bufford, a resident of Edwards’ hometown of Cleveland Heights, told reporters. “Our ancestors are celebrating. I’m just so happy” [citation:source].

Laila Edwards Cleveland Heights Hockey Background

Long before she stood on the Olympic podium, Edwards was developing her game on the rinks of Northeast Ohio. Growing up in the diverse Cleveland Heights community, she played in local youth hockey programs including the Cleveland Baron Boys and Cleveland Lumberjacks Boys, where she honed the skills that would eventually take her to the world’s biggest stage .

Her talent was evident early on. At just 13 years old, Edwards left home to attend Bishop Kearney Selects Academy in Rochester, New York, a move that allowed her to compete at a higher level and pursue her Olympic dreams . From there, she joined the University of Wisconsin, where she has developed into one of the NCAA’s most dominant players.

Edwards’ rise through the ranks has been marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements. In 2023, she became the first Black woman to represent the United States at the IIHF World Championships, where she was named tournament MVP . Standing 6-foot-2, her combination of size, skill, and hockey IQ made her a natural fit for the national team program.

“She’s such a bright star, she does everything right on and off the ice,” Team USA captain Hilary Knight said of her teammate earlier this year. “It’s really a privilege to be able to be one of her teammates and to see her grow” .

Laila Edwards Family GoFundMe Kelce Brothers Donation

For Edwards’ family, getting to Milan to witness history was a journey in itself. When she made the Olympic team, her relatives faced the daunting reality that travel and lodging costs might prevent them from being there to support her .

Edwards’ father, Robert Edwards, launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $50,000 to cover expenses for family members to attend the Games. The response from their community—and beyond—was overwhelming .

By the time the gold medal game arrived, the fundraiser had collected more than $61,000 from 562 donations . Contributions came in amounts large and small, from across the country, demonstrating the widespread support for Edwards’ historic journey.

The largest single donation—$10,000—came from anunlikely source with a hometown connection. NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, who also grew up in Cleveland Heights, made the anonymous contribution that Edwards later confirmed came from the brothers . The Kelces had previously shouted out Edwards on their popular “New Heights” podcast after she first made the national team.

“They helped me get here and make this team and achieve my dream, so it means a lot,” Edwards said of the GoFundMe support .

“They’re really good people, too, outside of their athletic abilities,” she added of the Kelce brothers .

Team USA Women’s Hockey Gold Medal Game Recap

The gold medal game against Canada was a tense, hard-fought battle befitting the sport’s greatest rivalry. After a scoreless first period, Canada struck first with a shorthanded goal in the second period, putting Team USA in a 1-0 hole .

American goaltender Aerin Frankel kept her team in the game with 30 saves, repeatedly denying Canadian attempts to extend their lead . As the clock wound down in the third period and the gold medal seemed to be slipping away, Team USA pulled Frankel for an extra attacker.

With just 2:04 remaining, Edwards’ shot from the point found Knight’s stick in front of the net. The veteran captain tipped it past Desbiens, tying the game and sending it to overtime . The goal made Knight the all-time leader in goals and points in U.S. Olympic women’s hockey history .

In the 3-on-3 overtime period, Keller took control, breaking past the Canadian defense and beating Desbiens with a backhand shot to secure the victory . The gold medal was Team USA’s first since 2018.

Throughout the tournament, the Americans were dominant, outscoring their opponents 31-1 in six games and setting an Olympic record for the longest shutout streak . Edwards, who moved from forward to defense at her own suggestion, played a crucial role in that defensive excellence while contributing offensively from the blue line .

Laila Edwards Wisconsin Badgers PWHL Draft Prospect

Back in Madison, Wisconsin, hundreds of University of Wisconsin students and fans gathered at Union South to watch the gold medal game on campus . The Badgers have deep connections to both teams—six players on Team USA have ties to Wisconsin, along with five on Team Canada .

For fans like Nicette Jacobs, watching current Badgers compete on the Olympic stage was an unforgettable experience. “They mean everything,” she said. “They’re incredible. I can’t wait until they all come back from the Olympics, and we can see the rest of the Badger season play out” .

Edwards has been a standout for Wisconsin, leading the NCAA in scoring last season and helping the Badgers win a national championship . This season, she has eight goals and 36 points in just 21 games, averaging 1.71 points per game—sixth-best in the country .

Her success at both the collegiate and international levels has made her one of the most sought-after prospects for the upcoming Professional Women’s Hockey League draft. Experts project Edwards to be a top-three pick in June 2026, alongside her Wisconsin teammate Caroline Harvey and Minnesota’s Abbey Murphy .

“She’s representing every Black and brown young lady who’s ever put on some skates and a helmet to defy the odds,” said JJ Velez, president of the board for Ice Hockey in Harlem, which contributed $1,500 to the family’s GoFundMe .

Laila Edwards Grandmother Olympic Games Family Support

Before every game, Edwards has a ritual.She skates onto the ice and scansthe stands until she finds her 91-year-old grandmother, Ernestine Gray. They exchange a small wave, a quiet moment of connection before the intensity of competition takes over .

“As she comes in, she’s looking around,” Gray told the Associated Press. “Then I say, ‘I won’t do anything to distract her.’ Then she did see me and I wave to her and then she waved back” .

That moment took on special significance in Milan, where Gray was able to watch her granddaughter make history in person thanks to the community fundraising effort. For Edwards’ mother, Charone Gray-Edwards, watching her mother and daughter share that connection has been among the most treasured experiences of the Olympics .

Back in Cleveland Heights, fans gathered at New Heights Grill for a watch party hosted by the Heights Athletic Boosters . When Keller scored the overtime winner, the restaurant erupted in celebration.

“I couldn’t be more proud of her, and the whole team and everything… it brought tears… how exciting for Cleveland, Ohio,” said Mariah, one of the fans watching at the restaurant .

Edwards also received recognition during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Black Heritage Celebration, with the NBA team honoring her as the first Black woman to win gold in women’s hockey history .

Laila Edwards Black Girls Hockey Diversity Role Model

Perhaps the most significant impact of Edwards’ historic achievement is the inspiration it provides to young athletes who have never seen themselves represented in hockey.

“Just to hear all the people of color talking about, ‘I’ve never watched hockey before and I’m tuning in,’” her mother said. “I would love to know what the ratings are. Because everybody at home, everybody is talking about it. All these people are trying to buy jerseys” .

For Charone Gray-Edwards, some of the most powerful moments have come after games, when young boys approach her daughter for autographs—not because she’s a woman playing hockey, but because she’s a good hockey player, period .

“That means they’re not like, ‘Oh, this is a girl that plays hockey.’ They’re like, ‘This a good hockey player.’ So it doesn’t matter if she’s Black, a woman—she’s a good player” .

Edwards has embraced this role as a trailblazer with characteristic humility. After becoming the first Black woman to play for Team USA at the Olympics, she reflected on what it means to represent not just her country, but her community.

“I love my hometown. I think it’s one of a kind. It’s super diverse, and the community is just so strong there,” she told People magazine. “I’ve always felt supported by the people in my hometown growing up throughout this unique journey that I’ve been on”.