Laila Edwards has been selected fourth overall in the PWHL Draft by PWHL San Jose. The American national team and Wisconsin star was part of a generational group entering the PWHL through the 2026 Draft.
Laila Edwards is a sizeable player set to make a sizeable impact in the PWHL after PWHL San Jose selected her third overall in the 2026 PWHL Draft.
Edwards is an international All-Star earning tournament All-Star honors from the U-18 World Championships, World Championships, and Olympics winning World and Olympic gold. She's achieved all of this by age 22, along with three NCAA national titles as a member of the University of Wisconsin.
What is perhaps more impressive for Edwards, who was the 2022 U-18 World Championship and 2024 World Championship MVPs as a forward, was that she earned 2026 Olympic All-Star honours as a defender.
Edwards has unique size at 6-foot-1, and perhaps the best shot in women's hockey. She has vision and finds shooing lanes, but also has unique playmaking capabilities. This season from Wisconsin's blueline, Edwards had 12 goals and 45 points in only 28 games. As a forward the year prior, Edwards scored 35 goals and 71 points in 41 games.
Edwards' versatility allows San Jose to utilize her anywhere on the ice, and Edwards' capabilities on the power play are also an asset.
At fourth overall, Edwards becomes the highest Black woman ever selected in the PWHL Draft.