Kendall Coyne Schofield during the most recent IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship in 2019.
photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
Olympic and Women’s World Champion Kendall Coyne Schofield, who recently participated in the U.S. Women’s National Team Evaluation Camp in Blaine, Minnesota, was hired as Player Development Coach & Youth Hockey Growth Specialist by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. She’s the club’s first female coach.
Since her appearance at the 2019 NHL All-Star Games, Coyne Schofield is not only known to fans as a world-class player in women’s ice hockey but also as one of the fastest ice hockey players on the planet, male or female. Now she made another step in the NHL family.
“Incredibly smart move by the Blackhawks to hire Kendall Coyne Schofield, she’s as sharp off the ice as she is fast on the ice,” tweeted long-time NHL GM Brian Burke.
For Coyne Schofield it’s also a return from California where she worked in broadcast roles with NBC Sports to her native Illinois.
“What interests me is being able to help this organization to win the Stanley Cup. I’m a competitor. I’ve won at the majority of the levels I’ve played at. To be at a role and help this team develop and win championships, the team that I grew up watching and win three Stanley Cup. That’s what I’m so excited about,” Coyne Schofield said.
“I have a few different responsibilities. A lot will be working with the prospects, being in Rockford, watching games, scouting when I can. “
In her role she will assist the coaching staff at AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs in the skills development of current players, while also evaluating, assessing and scouting potential prospects. Additionally, Coyne has long served as a local community liaison for the Chicago Blackhawks organization and she will formalize this work in her new hybrid role as Youth Hockey Growth Specialist, specifically focused on grassroots youth hockey programs and clinics, implementation of girls' hockey programming and the continued enhancement of her namesake all-girls program "Golden Coynes."
Since her appearance at the 2019 NHL All-Star Games, Coyne Schofield is not only known to fans as a world-class player in women’s ice hockey but also as one of the fastest ice hockey players on the planet, male or female. Now she made another step in the NHL family.
“Incredibly smart move by the Blackhawks to hire Kendall Coyne Schofield, she’s as sharp off the ice as she is fast on the ice,” tweeted long-time NHL GM Brian Burke.
For Coyne Schofield it’s also a return from California where she worked in broadcast roles with NBC Sports to her native Illinois.
“What interests me is being able to help this organization to win the Stanley Cup. I’m a competitor. I’ve won at the majority of the levels I’ve played at. To be at a role and help this team develop and win championships, the team that I grew up watching and win three Stanley Cup. That’s what I’m so excited about,” Coyne Schofield said.
“I have a few different responsibilities. A lot will be working with the prospects, being in Rockford, watching games, scouting when I can. “
In her role she will assist the coaching staff at AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs in the skills development of current players, while also evaluating, assessing and scouting potential prospects. Additionally, Coyne has long served as a local community liaison for the Chicago Blackhawks organization and she will formalize this work in her new hybrid role as Youth Hockey Growth Specialist, specifically focused on grassroots youth hockey programs and clinics, implementation of girls' hockey programming and the continued enhancement of her namesake all-girls program "Golden Coynes."
“Adding talented people with diverse and multi-faceted backgrounds like Kendall, Erik [Condra] and Juan [Gonzalez] enhances our operations as we assess the changing landscape of hockey at all levels and continue to build and maintain a system of elite hockey,” said Chicago Blackhawks Senior Vice President and General Manager Stan Bowman. “Each of these individuals brings unique experience to their position, and we are excited to welcome them to the Blackhawks family.”
Additionally, Meghan Hunter has been promoted to Director of Hockey Administration and Amateur Scout. Hunter previously served as Senior Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President/General Manager and Hockey Operations. Prior to joining the Blackhawks, she worked with Hockey Canada as Manager of Hockey Operations/National Teams from 2010-16.
Additionally, Meghan Hunter has been promoted to Director of Hockey Administration and Amateur Scout. Hunter previously served as Senior Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President/General Manager and Hockey Operations. Prior to joining the Blackhawks, she worked with Hockey Canada as Manager of Hockey Operations/National Teams from 2010-16.