At a Glance
- Hilary Knight will make her fifth Olympic appearance and set a record for most U.S. women’s hockey Winter Games.
- The roster is youth-focused, with 16 players from the new PWHL and seven still in college.
- Laila Edwards becomes the first Black female hockey player to compete for the U.S. at the Olympics.
- Why it matters: It marks a new era for U.S. women’s hockey, blending experience, diversity, and a fresh talent pipeline.
Isaac Y. Thornwell – News Of Austin
The U.S. women’s hockey team has unveiled a 23-player roster that blends veteran leadership with a surge of youthful talent as it heads to Milan Cortina for the 2026 Winter Games.
Team Overview
The roster includes 11 returning players from the 2022 silver-medal squad and newcomers such as defender Laila Edwards, a 21-year-old Wisconsin senior who will be the first Black player to represent the U.S. at the Olympics.
- Key veterans: Kendall Coyne Schofield, Lee Stecklein, Alex Carpenter, Kelly Pannek, Megan Keller, Caroline Harvey.
- Youth movement: 16 players from the PWHL, 7 still in college, with 20-year-old Joy Dunne the youngest.
- Goalie trio: Aerin Frankel (starter), Gwyneth Philips (backup), Ava McNaughton (third-stringer).
Quote from Laila Edwards:
> “It still hasn’t really kicked in yet. Getting that call is like a dream come true.
Always had dreams of playing in the pros, but the biggest dream was to go the Olympics for sure.”
Coaching and Strategy
New head coach John Wroblewski, hired in June 2022, has steered the team toward a youth-centric approach, a shift evident in the recent Rivalry Series where the U.S. swept all four games against Canada, outscoring them 24-7.
- The team finished 5-2 in Beijing, losing both games to Canada.
- They are the defending world champions after a 4-3 overtime win over Canada in April.
- The Americans open the Olympics on Feb. 5 against the Czech Republic, with the gold-medal game on Feb. 19.
Key Takeaways
- Hilary Knight will set a record for most Olympic appearances by a U.S. women’s hockey player.
- The roster’s heavy youth focus and 16 PWHL players signal a new era for the program.
- Laila Edwards’ Olympic debut marks a historic milestone for diversity in U.S. hockey.
The team’s blend of seasoned talent and fresh energy positions it as the favorite to win its third Olympic gold, the first since 2018.
