By: Isi Frank Ativie
The North American hockey scene has seen and witnessed many Black Canadian and African American male players who have made their mark. In the NCAA Division One and NHL levels, within the last 66 years, we’ve celebrated amongst others Willie O’Ree and Dakota Joshua. However, Wisconsin Badger forward, Laila Edwards has established herself as one of the most talented female players in the world.
This 20-year-old Cleveland Heights, Ohio native is the first Black female star in this nation since former National Women’s Hockey League all-star defender, Blake Bolden. Standing six feet - one inch tall, Edwards is a towering figure of a hockey player compared to the 5-7 Bolden.
This April, Edwards’ debuted with the U.S. national senior team at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship against the Czech Republic. It was unprecedented! The team’s first African American female player scored on a laser shot of a goal. When the puck hit under the crossbar of the net and passed the goal line, the Czech goalie couldn’t stand a chance. to stop the incredibly Edward’s high-powered wrist shot came out like a bullet from a shotgun. The sensational rookie wasn’t finished! She scored again on another wrist shot the following period of that game. The second goal was a shot that went beneath the goalie’s glove. Clearly, if the opponents allow her a few feet from their goalie with the puck, they’re in deep trouble.
She finished that tournament as their most valuable player, with six goals in only seven games, despite leading the national team to a silver medal.
Edwards shared on an interview with WTMJ-TV, “Growing up, I really enjoyed watching them (the U.S. Women’s national team). But it would’ve been great to see someone who looked at me also.”
For an individual like Edwards, who was one of the top five scorers for the Badgers this past season, with 56 points, her commitment to excellence must inspire every Black hockey kid’s attention; especially younger Black girls. Black girls playing hockey can emulate her unconditional adoration for the sport. Many of them would also like to be an NCAA Division One national champion and a Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year.
Black girls can also be inspired by Edwards’ background as she comes from a family of hockey players. Her father Robert played; and her sister Chayla, who was her teammate these past two seasons with the Badgers. Edwards was a figure skater before playing ice hockey. Young Black hockey girls can also identify with Edwards’ struggles of fitting in with all-white boys’ and girls’ teams in the past. They may even grapple with white teammates whispering racial comments. Edwards experienced a moment when she was directed to go to a recreational basketball court instead of a locker room for hockey players at one particular ice arena and recreational center.
Black hockey girls from across the North American continent, especially in hockey’s most celebrated country of Canada, can also benefit from Edward's style, modeled after NHL all-stars Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews; as well as former American female legend Hilary Knight. Edwards’ message for all young Black Canadian girls in this sport is to never relinquish their dreams of becoming the next Laila Edwards. No matter how difficult their journey will be, they can find the spirit to persevere.
“I want to be an inspiration to all young girls. But especially all girls of color. They will be able to look at me and say, ‘She can do it, so I can do it too.”
- Laila Edwards
About our blog contributor ★
Isi Frank Ativie is a Chicago-based freelance journalist and essayist. He has written over 100 stories and columns for the Chicago Reader, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Defender, and many more.
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