While ice hockey in the U.S. is still not one of the most diverse sports, some Black athletes have broken through the color barrier in women’s hockey, writes Agnes Amondi for Spotcovery.

Spotcovery recently ranked the top 5 African American women hockey players in the U.S. and Arcadia University’s Kelsey Koelzer made the list.

When she was made head coach of the Arcadia University women’s ice hockey program in 2019, she became the first Black female head coach in the NCAA Division I.

Koelzer first gained attention as a hockey player while playing for Princeton University. She then was drafted to play for the New York Riveters before joining the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association.

Another prominent African American female hockey player is Blake Bolden, the first and only Black female hockey scout. She was also the first Black player in the National Women’s Hockey League. She has played for the Buffalo Beauts and the Boston Pride.

Laila Edwards was the first Black woman to represent Team USA in women’s hockey. In 2021, she won the Most Valuable Player award at the International Ice Hockey Federation U18 world championship.

Read more about Kelsey Koelzer and the other prominent Black female hockey players at Spotcovery.

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