Kendall Coyne Schofield Bio
Kendall Coyne Schofield (born May 25, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey player and captain for the Minnesota Frost and the United States national team. With the national team, she has won six gold medals at the IIHF World Women’s Championships and the gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics. In 2016, she was the winner of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. In January 2017, Coyne was recognized as the recipient of the NCAA Today’s Top 10 Award. She has also been a color commentator for the San Jose Sharks and was hired by the Chicago Blackhawks as a player development coach for their American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.
Early Life and Background
Kendall Coyne Schofield was born in Palos Heights, Illinois, to John and Ahlise Coyne. She has two brothers and a sister. Her oldest brother, Kevin Coyne, played Division III hockey, while her younger brother, Jake, is a member of the United States Army. Her younger sister, Bailey, is a forward for the Lindenwood Women’s Ice Hockey Team. From 2006 to 2010, Coyne attended Sandburg High School and later attended the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts, for the academic year 2010 to 2011. In December 2015, she graduated from Northeastern University in Boston with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies. In 2017, she graduated with a Master of Science, summa cum laude, in corporate and organizational communications from Northeastern University.
Path to Hockey
During the 2009–10 season, Coyne scored 53 goals and registered 34 assists in 46 games with the Chicago Mission Under 19 girls’ team. She participated in three seasons with the Mission, accumulating 254 points in 157 games. In addition, she played in two national championship games with the Mission, winning one title. After attending the Berkshire School for the 2010–2011 season, where she totaled 77 points on 55 goals and 22 assists in 25 games, she was named the New England Prep School Player of the Year. On April 28, 2011, it was announced that Coyne committed to the Northeastern Huskies women’s ice hockey program. In her senior year, she was awarded the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top female college ice hockey player in the United States.
Kendall Coyne Schofield Career
Early Career (2007–2015)
In the 2015 NWHL Draft, Kendall Coyne Schofield was selected third overall by the Boston Pride. She made her professional debut with the Boston Pride before signing with the independent Minnesota Whitecaps in July 2016. Heading into the 2018–19 season, Coyne re-signed with the Minnesota Whitecaps, who were then members of the National Women’s Hockey League. She was named to Team Szabados for the 2019 NWHL All-Star Weekend. On July 11, 2018, Coyne made history as the first woman to play in the Chicago Pro Hockey League at MB Arena, a league featuring both professional and amateur players.
Breakthrough (2016–Present)
Kendall Coyne Schofield’s breakthrough moment came during the 2018 Winter Olympics, where she played a crucial role in helping the United States secure a gold medal. Her performance in the tournament solidified her status as one of the top players in women’s hockey. On January 25, 2019, she made headlines again by becoming the first woman to compete in an NHL All-Star Skills competition, where she participated in the fastest-skater challenge. Although she finished seventh out of eight skaters, her participation marked a significant milestone for women in hockey.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout her career, Kendall Coyne Schofield has achieved numerous milestones, including winning six gold medals at the IIHF World Women’s Championships and a silver medal at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. She has been recognized for her contributions to the sport, including receiving the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2016 and being named to the U.S. Women’s National Team for multiple international competitions.
Kendall Coyne Schofield Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Kendall Coyne Schofield has received several nominations for prestigious awards, recognizing her outstanding contributions to women’s ice hockey and her performance on the ice.
Kendall Coyne Schofield Awards Won
Kendall Coyne Schofield has won multiple awards during her career, including the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2016, which honors the top female college ice hockey player in the United States. She has also been part of the U.S. national team that has won numerous gold medals at the IIHF World Women’s Championships and the Olympic Games.
Kendall Coyne Schofield Family
Kendall Coyne Schofield is married to former NFL player Michael Schofield. They attended the same high school in Orland Park, Illinois, but did not start dating until they were both in college. The couple wed in July 2018 and welcomed their first child, a son named Drew, on July 1, 2023.
Personal Life
In addition to her playing career, Kendall Coyne Schofield has been involved in various leadership roles within women’s hockey. She has served on the board of directors for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association and was named to the executive committee of the PWHL Players Association after the founding of the Professional Women’s Hockey League in 2023. Alongside her husband, she operates the Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation, which supports community initiatives and gun safety programs.
