USA Hockey’s journey to Olympic gold is a story of breakthrough achievement and inspiration.

When the United States Women’s and Men’s Olympic Hockey teams won gold at the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina-Milano, Italy — the first time both teams achieved this feat — it was a milestone for young Black athletes. Laila Edwards, the first Black woman on a USA Women’s Hockey team and the first person of color to win gold for the United States in her sport, was a key player. She followed Jordan Greenway, the first Black man to play for Team USA in men’s hockey at the 2018 Olympics, who broke a 98-year color barrier.

Greenway, a Boston University leftwinger, scored against Slovenia, but his seventh-place team received little publicity. “I love playing the game. I am honored that it is me. … Hopefully, I am the first of many to come,” he said.

Edwards, a two-time National Collegiate Champion at Wisconsin, now inspires young people of color to dream of Olympic hockey success. “It was an honor to be the ‘First Black Woman’ on the USA team. I’m glad I can be that someone for another little Black girl out there,” she said.

To understand today’s successes, recognize the trail first blazed by the Massport Jets of East Boston, female hockey pioneers. The Jets were founded by Tony Marmo, an East Boston politician, and coached by former state Senator Robert Travaglini. Travaglini recalls: “Tony Marmo was the man who created this whole thing. He was ahead of his time; he believed girls should have the opportunity to play organized hockey — a game he deeply loved. His reach to leaders like Gov. Ed King and others helped us raise the money to build the Jets team.”

That team’s legacy is clear: they won two national amateur championships and laid the groundwork for the United States Women’s Olympic Hockey Organization.

Travaglini, along with members of the Massport Jets, expressed his love and admiration for Tony Marmo, wife Naomi (nicknamed DeDe), and daughters Astrid and Jane during an interview on the Morgan White radio show, which aired nationally on WBZ AM Radio (2/21/26): “DeDe and her daughters cooked, washed uniforms, and played vital roles in helping the team while Tony put his life on the line with the Italian fathers of Eastie, who were not too happy with the prospect of their daughters facing possible injuries playing hockey. You have to remember that this was the early 1970’s before Title IX. But Tony knew what the big picture was all about. His work led to the formation of the USA Women’s Olympic Program. The Massport Jets have already received Hall of Fame recognition from USA HOCKEY. But this won’t be a complete story until he and the Massport Jets are someday named to the International Hockey Hall of Fame.

That is my dream, and the dream of living members of those great Massport Jets teams.”

The living members of the Massport Jets cherish how the team transformed their lives, largely due to founder Tony Marmo and first coach Bob Travaglini. Captain Rita Roberto said, “The Jets changed my life for the better, some 50+ years ago. I gained a sense of being when I became a part of that team. My teammates and I are still close to this day. Our memories are as clear today as they have ever been.” Lee Johnson, Sue Campbell, and Carol Doherty-Maroni echoed her: Johnson recalled, “I won a scholarship to Colby College, where I joined Sue Campbell to win two national championships. But I already had championship experience with the Massport Jets.” Campbell added, “We knew we were good. As our legend grew, we became closer as teammates and friends. The Massport Jets are my family.” Doherty-Maroni said, “Watching the USA Olympic Team receive their Gold Medals, we thought, ‘that could have been us.’ We were just ahead of our time.” Travaglini concluded, “We filed papers to get into the Olympics, but it wasn’t our time.”

For nearly a century, no Black players wore a USA Olympic Hockey jersey, but thanks to Jordan Greenway, Laila Edwards, and the trailblazing efforts of Tony Marmo, Bob Travaglini, and the Massport Jets, more young Black Americans can now dream of playing in the Olympics. Bravo to everyone who played a part in this history.