CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Laila Edwards is making her hometown proud.
Edwards, the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women’s hockey team, made history again when she scored her first Olympic goal in a 5-0 preliminary win over Canada. She can now add a gold medal to her list of achievements.
The United States defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win gold, sparking celebrations from notable Cleveland athletes.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. met Edwards and her family earlier in the year when she attended a Cavaliers game, and Nance said they became fast friends.
“At such a young age being able to achieve such an incredible feat, not just the gold medal — insane to say just a gold medal — but to be the first Black woman to do it in a USA Hockey jersey,” Nance said. “She’s a trailblazer.”
Nance and Edwards have supported each other’s careers, swapping jerseys prior to the U.S./Canada Rivalry Series at Rocket Arena in November.
Proud to know her, and proud she’s from Cleveland.
“Hopefully there are girls watching everywhere and looking at her and saying, ‘I can do that too,’” Nance said.
Edwards has also received support from Cleveland Heights’ stars Jason and Travis Kelce, who contributed to her families’ GoFundMe to help them travel to Italy to watch her play.
Travis and Jason Kelce have donated to Laila Edwards's family's GoFundMe so they can travel to see her play at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
Edwards, who is from the same Cleveland suburb as the Kelces, is the first Black woman ever to make the U.S. Olympic hockey team. pic.twitter.com/EqUMafVmFg
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 21, 2026
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