Empowering Girls Through Hockey: Ice Hockey in Harlem's Visit to the University of Wisconsin
Ice Hockey in Harlem, a program based in New York, recently had eight girls players visit the University of Wisconsin’s NCAA Division I women’s hockey team. The girls received a warm welcome from the Wisconsin community, including a tour of the Badgers locker room, meeting with current and former players, and a Q&A session with Laila Edwards, a standout player who could potentially make history as the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women’s hockey team at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The visit aimed to inspire and empower the young players, showing them that they too can achieve success in hockey with hard work and dedication.
During their visit, the girls had the opportunity to watch the Wisconsin women’s hockey team in action, witnessing the high level of play and skill on display. They also participated in on-ice drills with Wisconsin coach Mark Johnson at LaBahn Arena, the Badgers' home rink. The experience broadened the girls' horizons, exposing them to different parts of the country and showing them the possibilities that lie ahead if they continue to work hard and pursue their passion for hockey.
The highlight of the trip for the girls was meeting Laila Edwards, a top player for the Badgers who unfortunately suffered an injury during the games against Minnesota Duluth. Despite her injury, Edwards took the time to connect with the Ice Hockey in Harlem visitors, emphasizing the importance of representation and personal interaction in inspiring young players. The girls were thrilled to meet Edwards and left the visit feeling more confident in their own abilities, with one even receiving an autographed stick as a memento of the experience.
Ice Hockey in Harlem was founded in 1987 and offers free hockey and academic enrichment programs to children in the Harlem community. The organization aims to instill values such as staying in school, life skills, discipline, and teamwork through the lens of hockey. With the upcoming launch of a girls’ hockey program, Ice Hockey in Harlem is continuing its efforts to empower young girls in the community and provide them with opportunities to excel in the sport. The girls who participated in the Wisconsin trip are among the first participants in the new program, signaling a positive step towards greater inclusivity and diversity in hockey.