One of the brightest stars in global women’s hockey, an Olympic gold medalist, an international tournament record-holder, the first woman to compete in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition’s Fastest Skater event, and a true advocate for the growth of women’s sports in the U.S. Her story is a compelling blend of talent, tireless work, and leadership that extends far beyond the rink. Read on at chicagoka.
Biography
Kendall Coyne was born in Palos Heights, Illinois, to John and Ahlis Coyne. She has three siblings, and sports were always central to her family life. Her older brother, Kevin, played in Division III, her younger brother, Jake, serves in the U.S. Army, and her sister, Bailey, played for the Lindenwood women’s hockey team.
Coyne attended Sandburg High School from 2006 to 2010 before spending a year at the prestigious Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts. She continued her academic career at Northeastern University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communications in 2015, followed by a Master’s degree in Corporate Communications, which she completed with summa cum laude honors in 2017.
Professional Career
Even before college, Kendall established herself as a phenomenal talent. During the 2009-2010 season, she scored 53 goals and notched 34 assists in 46 games for the Chicago Mission U19 team. Over three seasons with the Mission, she amassed 254 points in 157 games and helped the team secure a national title.
Coyne continued to deliver brilliant results at Berkshire School: 55 goals, 22 assists, and 77 points in just 25 games. This performance earned her the New England Prep School Player of the Year award.
In 2011, she joined the Northeastern Huskies hockey program. In her senior season, she won the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award, recognizing her as the best female collegiate hockey player in the United States.
Career with Team USA
Coyne first made a name for herself in 2009 when she scored the game-winning goal in the final of the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. At age 17, she became the youngest player invited to the U.S. National Team selection camp for the 2010 Olympics.
Playing for the senior national team, Coyne became one of the most prolific scorers in World Championship history: across 7 World Championships, she has won 6 gold medals (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019) and 1 silver (2012). Her 33 total points (22 goals + 11 assists) are a tournament record. In 2019, she captained the team, won the tournament’s Best Forward award, and was named to the All-Star Team.
Coyne has participated in three Olympic Games:
- Sochi 2014 — Silver Medal (6 points in 5 games);
- Pyeongchang 2018 — Gold Medal (Team USA defeated Canada in a shootout);
- Beijing 2022 — Silver Medal, where she served as captain and recorded 6 points.
In 2015, Coyne was the third overall pick in the NWHL Draft for the Boston Pride. She later joined the Minnesota Whitecaps, playing for the club in their inaugural NWHL season. In 2018, Kendall made history again by becoming the first woman to compete in the Chicago Pro Hockey League, which features 80 NHL professionals and 80 amateurs.
On January 26, 2019, Kendall cemented her place in history by participating in the Fastest Skater competition at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition. According to official NHL.com data, she completed the course in 14.346 seconds, outskating some of her male counterparts, and became the first woman to ever participate in this competition at the NHL level. Her performance received massive media coverage. NBC Sports called it “the moment that changed women’s hockey,” and Coyne Schofield herself stated at the time that “women deserve their space in the big game of hockey — and they’re ready to take it.”
In 2023, Coyne was one of the first players to sign a contract with the newly established Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Before the season began, she was named the captain of PWHL Minnesota. On May 29, 2024, she led the team to victory in the league’s inaugural final. Coyne scored the final goal in the decisive game, a symbolic finish to the historic championship. She holds the title of Walter Cup Champion and plays a key role in developing young players and promoting women’s hockey across the United States.
Personal Life
Kendall is married to former NFL player Michael Schofield. They attended the same high school but didn’t start dating until college. The couple married in 2018, and their son, Drew, was born on July 1, 2023. In 2021, the couple joined the ownership group of the Chicago Red Stars soccer club (NWSL). Coyne is actively involved in advancing women’s hockey, having served on the PWHPA board, and after the PWHL’s creation, she became a member of the players’ union executive committee.
Kendall and Michael founded the Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation, which supports social and sports initiatives in Chicago and its suburbs.
Among their projects are:
- The reconstruction of Schussler Park, which is now named Michael Schofield III Park;
- A partnership with activist Andrew Holmes;
- Organizing holiday events for families affected by violence;
- Distributing 500 specialized gun locks to help prevent accidental shootings involving children.
Kendall Coyne Schofield is far more than just an Olympic champion. She is an athlete who is changing the game: on the ice, in the media, in women’s sports, and in the community. Her journey proves that perseverance, talent, and leadership can pave the way for new generations.