Palos 118 alumna Kendall Coyne to return to Olympic ice in 2018

Before her first Olympic experience, former Palos Heights resident Kendall Coyne attended Palos West Elementary and Palos South Middle School, where she made many happy childhood memories while her love of hockey grew. Now the silver medalist is once again headed back to Olympic ice in 2018, representing the U.S. in her second Olympic appearance with her sights set on gold.

During her first stint in the Olympics with the 2014 US Women’s Hockey team that competed in Sochi, Russia, Coyne skated in five games, recording two goals and four assists. Following her return to the U.S., Kendall returned to Palos East and South to speak with students from her alma mater, encouraging them to follow their dreams, and showing off her silver medal.

In her address to the students at South in 2014, Coyne reminisced about her most memorable times at Palos South where she graduated in 2006, fondly recalling the floor hockey unit in PE class, enjoying the Trash Can Band music assembly, and taking Spanish for the first time. She encouraged the young audience, "Don't be afraid to try something new. You may love it or hate it but unless you'll try it, you'll never know."

She had the same message of hope and determination when she surprised the younger set at West. The students thought they were being gathered into the gym for a regular rewards assembly, and were thrilled to have an Olympian speak to them and answer their questions. Coyne especially stressed how important it was to do well in school, as well as the activities they loved. "I wasn't allowed to go to hockey unless I did my homework first," recalled Coyne, "And if I didn't do well and behave well in school, I couldn't play in my games."

Coyne has many other accolades to compliment her Olympic silver medal. As a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, she has played in six International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championships (gold-2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017; silver-2012), seven Four Nations Cups (1st-2011, 2012. 2015, 2016; 2nd-2010, 2014; 3rd-2013) and one IIHF Twelve Nations Invitational Tournament Series (2011). More of Coyne's accomplishments can be found in her bio.

Beyond hockey, Coyne has also dedicated herself to her education. After the 2014 Olympics, she did a 6-month internship with the Chicago Blackhawks media relations team. Afterwards, she returned to Northeastern to finish her bachelor’s degree. During the 2013-2014 school year, she took time away from her studies to train with Team USA full-time.

In December 2015, she earned her B.A. from Northeastern University where she majored in communications and minored in business. This past May, Coyne completed her master’s degree in corporate and organizational communication.

Coyne wasn’t ready to give up hockey after she completed her education. She explained how challenging it is for a female hockey player to stay in top physical condition beyond college hockey because there is not a sustainable professional women’s league like the National Hockey League.

“Since the 2014 Olympics, I have continued to play with the National Team, Northeastern University until 2016 and the Minnesota Whitecaps (an independent professional team) this past year,” said Coyne. After college she played with the Minnesota Whitecaps while residing in Colorado. “I would fly into Minnesota for games and practice in Colorado. This was a way for me to stay in hockey shape.”

Tryouts for the 2018 Olympics took place in Wesley Chapel, Florida in May, 2017. “We had recently come off winning a gold medal at the World Championships on home soil in Plymouth, Michigan in April of 2017,” said Coyne. “That was my fifth world championship gold medal. So to prepare for tryouts, I continued the momentum from the world championships into tryouts. I would skate and workout 4-5 days a week.”

It appears momentum is what will be propelling the local hockey phenom past the Olympics as she prepares for her July 2018 wedding to former Orland Park resident and professional football player Michael Schofield. As Schofield’s career keeps him busy playing offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers this winter, Coyne will be in Florida with the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team preparing for run for the gold.

Coyne’s parents and siblings still reside in Palos. A fundraiser is being held to support their family on November 22 from 5 – 9 p.m. at the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park, so they might be able to travel to Pyenongchang, South Korea to once again cheer Kendall on as she competes with Team USA to win that elusive gold medal. Admission to the fundraiser includes an open skate with Kendall (6:30-7:50 p.m.), an autographed Kendall Coyne photo, $10 in raffle tickets, skate rental, and refreshments. Tickets are $20 adults/$10 children pre-registration or $25 adults/$15 children at the door. For more event information, visit KendallCoyne.com/Olympics. Visit this link for the USA Women's Olympic Hockey schedule.