Previous ranking: 4
2026-27 team: PWHL San Jose
As Edwards prepares to begin her professional career, she moves up two spots on the T25U25 list. It’s a well-deserved honor for the 22-year-old, who can play both forward and defense as a well-rounded player across the ice.
The 2025-26 season started off as a mixed bag for Edwards. She didn’t record a point in the opening game but had 6 points in the next three. Then, she suffered an MCL injury in the fifth game of the season.
She missed five games, returning to action for the Badgers on Oct. 31. That game — a 5-1 loss to Minnesota — was one of just four on the season in which Edwards didn’t record a point. Over the course of the season, she played a key role in Wisconsin’s offense, including a 5-point effort (1 goal, 4 assists) in a 17-2 win over Stonehill.
In the midst of all that? She became the first Black woman to play hockey for Team USA at the Olympics, and won a gold medal. In seven games, she recorded 2 goals and added 6 assists.
Post-Olympics, she returned to Wisconsin and continued showcasing her offensive prowess. Edwards had a six-game point streak upon her return and helped the Badgers capture the NCAA championship with a 3-2 win over Ohio State. She finished her season with 12 goals and 33 assists in 28 games and her collegiate career with two WCHA titles and three NCAA championships.
PWHL San Jose drafted Edwards fourth overall in 2026 following the culmination of her NCAA career. She was drafted as a defender, and she’s anticipated to play that role on her new team — but I wouldn’t expect her offense to completely drop off.
Edwards signed a three-year deal with San Jose last month. We’ll get our first glimpse of her (and PWHL San Jose) on Nov. 29 in a preseason game against the Seattle Torrent. The two teams also face off the following day. San Jose kicks off their inaugural PWHL season on Dec. 5 against the Minnesota Frost.
Too high, too low? Edwards’ stock has risen slowly but steadily over the last few years. As such, #2 feels like a logical landing place for her on this list. She’s already showcased so much talent — and she’s still only 22 years old. Considering she already has an Olympic gold and two Women’s World Championship medals, she’s used to playing with and against the highest-caliber players, many of whom she’ll face in the PWHL. I honestly don’t expect her to experience too much of a learning curve. I’m excited to see how much of an impact she can have as a rookie with a new franchise.
