4 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Alums Represent US Women's Hockey Team at 2026 Olympics

Pens Elite athletes show pride for their former teammates competing for Olympic gold

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Four former players from the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite youth hockey program - Hannah Bilka, Laila Edwards, Gwyneth Philips, and Ava McNaughton - are representing the U.S. women's hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The 125 current Pens Elite athletes are inspired by their former teammates' Olympic success.

Why it matters

The Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program has a strong track record of developing top hockey talent, and seeing four of its alums make the U.S. Olympic team is a point of pride for the organization and the local community. The women's hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics also provides a high-profile platform to showcase the growth of the sport.

The details

The four Pens Elite alums - Hannah Bilka, Laila Edwards, Gwyneth Philips, and Ava McNaughton - all played for the youth hockey program before moving on to successful college and professional careers. They are now representing the United States in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are taking place in Milano Cortina, Italy.
  • The U.S. women's hockey team is competing for the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics.

The players

Hannah Bilka

A former player in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite youth hockey program who is now representing the U.S. women's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.

Laila Edwards

A former player in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite youth hockey program who is now representing the U.S. women's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.

Gwyneth Philips

A former player in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite youth hockey program who is now representing the U.S. women's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.

Ava McNaughton

A former player in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite youth hockey program who is now representing the U.S. women's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.

Pittsburgh Penguins Elite

A youth hockey program in Pittsburgh that has developed several players who are now representing the U.S. women's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.

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The takeaway

The success of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program in developing Olympic-caliber hockey talent underscores the growth of women's hockey and the impact that youth development programs can have in cultivating the next generation of stars.