Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards have been inseparable since they first met as teenagers on the youth hockey circuit, a bond that has endured through high school, college, and two Olympic gold‑medal campaigns with Team USA. Their partnership extended beyond the rink, as they shared an apartment in Madison for two years, cultivated a joint TikTok following that showcases their dance routines and outfit swaps, and even fostered animals together while attending the espnW summit and filming a segment of Celebrity Family Feud.
Draft expectations
Now, as the inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League draft approaches, the two stand on the cusp of a professional milestone that could separate them for the first time in nearly a decade. Analysts project Harvey as the top pick for the Vancouver Goldeneyes, while Edwards is expected to follow at number two for the Seattle Torrent, a prospect that has sparked both excitement and a tinge of melancholy.
Reflecting on their journey, Harvey, the 2026 Patty Kazmaier Award winner and Olympic MVP, recalls the thrill of leading the Wisconsin Badgers to three NCAA championships, while Edwards, who topped the NCAA in goals last season and reinvented herself as a defenseman for Team USA, speaks of the trust that has underpinned every victory. Their story is punctuated by shared moments — from late‑night study sessions to spontaneous road trips — that have forged a friendship as solid as any championship pedigree.
The road ahead
The Professional Women’s Hockey League, backed by investors and broadcast partners, aims to elevate the sport to new heights, with franchises spanning from Vancouver to Boston, Detroit to Milan, and beyond. For Harvey and Edwards, the draft represents more than a career move; it is a test of the friendship that has defined their athletic identity. Whether they end up on opposing coasts or remain teammates in the same market, both acknowledge that the separation, however brief, will mark a pivotal chapter in a narrative that has already rewritten the landscape of women’s hockey.