Laila Edwards, who became the first Black woman to play for the U.S. in hockey at the Winter Olympics, is spiking youth interest in the sport, USA Today reported Friday.
Applications for the scholarship-assisting Black Girl Hockey Club are now dominated by mentions of Edwards.
“They say, ‘Oh, I want to make it to Division I, and I see people like Laila have, and that inspires me.’ Or, ‘I’m the only girl or girl of color on my team, but I see Laila, and that helps me keep going.’ Just adorable, heartwarming things,” Taylor Green, communications director and board member for the non-profit, told the newspaper’s Nancy Armour. “Things that let you know her impact is really being felt, on and off the ice.”
Edwards had a goal and 3 assists during the top-ranked Americans’ charge into the quarterfinals Friday against host Italy. Her 4 points placed her second among defenders.
But well before she impressed at the Milan Cortina Games, she accepted the responsibility of representing.
