Is there anything Laila Edwards can’t do? The versatile 21-year-old seems to thrive anywhere you put her, juggling heavy minutes and changing roles across collegiate and national team play.
Edwards was the NCAA’s leading scorer in 2024-25 with 35 goals, the most for a Wisconsin player since Brianna Decker in 2011-12. She posted a career-high 71 points over 41 games, good enough for third in the NCAA behind only linemates Casey O’Brien and Kirsten Simms, who also appeared on this list. One of Edwards’ more memorable games was in the Frozen Four semifinals, when she tallied a hat trick to boost the Badgers over Minnesota and onto the national championship. At 6’1”, Edwards isn’t afraid to get physical, but her stature belies control and skill. She is a smooth skater with a strong shot, but also an analytical player with great vision and knowledge of the game. Notably, it was Edwards who pointed out the Ohio State penalty that led to Kirsten Simms’ iconic tying penalty shot in the national championship game, a contribution just as significant as the two points she posted.
HER FIFTH OF THE TOURNAMENT.
LAILA. EDWARDS. pic.twitter.com/SybVx0Lqk2
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) March 23, 2025
Edwards’ efforts have earned her numerous awards and honors. In 2025, she was a top three finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, a First Team All-American, a finalist for WCHA Forward of the Year, and named to the All-WCHA and All-Frozen Four teams. Uniquely, Edwards was named to the 2025 Forbes North America 30 Athletes Under 30 list as the only active ice hockey player included.
Edwards has also made her mark on the international stage. In 2023, she became the first Black woman on the US senior national women’s hockey team when she played in the November Rivalry Series, then made her tournament debut at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship. It was one hell of a debut, as Edwards tallied six goals and two assists in seven games, including a hat trick in the semifinals, on Team USA’s road to a silver medal. The effort earned her the title of 2024 Tournament MVP, becoming the youngest player ever to do so, as well as the 2024 Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year award from USA Hockey. Edwards rejoined Team USA for Worlds in 2025, but in a new role. Driven to play for her country however she could, Edwards took the ice as a defender after management suggested she would have a better chance of staying on the roster as a blueliner. She thrived anyway, with one goal, three assists, and quality minutes to help Team USA win gold. Edwards’ Worlds performances are just additional examples of her excellence at the international level, which dates back to when she was the 2022 U18 Women’s World Championship MVP.
With that in mind, it’s not hard to say that the sky’s the limit for Laila Edwards. She has one more year of NCAA eligibility and will be staying with the defending champions at Wisconsin, but her eyes are likely set on the 2026 Olympics. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say we’ll see Edwards in Italy with Team USA, taking into account past performances and her adaptability when it comes to position. Similarly, I expect she’ll be a highly-touted Class of 2026 prospect that PWHL teams will be chomping at the bit to draft, especially with the likely post-Olympics retirement of some more veteran players.
Too High or Too Low? Neither—just right. It’s possible you could argue she’s a little high, but on my personal T25U25 rankings, I had Edwards right here at number four. I think there are a few young players better than her, mostly those with a little more age and experience, but her skill and versatility is hard to beat. At only 21, Laila Edwards is going to be a T25U25 mainstay for several years to come.