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Kendall Coyne Schofield impresses as first woman to compete in NHL All-Star skills competition

By Brennin Weiswerda

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January 25, 2019 11:09 pm

Kendall Coyne Schofield’s resume was already a long one. She won silver with the USA women’s hockey team at the 2014 Olympics and then brought home the gold in 2018. Tack on six world championship medals–five gold, one silver–and you’ve got one of the best hockey players in the game.

Now Coyne Schofield can add another line item to that list: she is the first woman to compete in an NHL All-Star skills competition.

She and three other female Olympians were slated to demonstrate the various skills: Coyne Schofield’s USA teammate Brianna Decker and Canada’s Renata Fast and Rebecca Johnston.

Coyne Schofield was called into action when the Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon had to withdraw due to a bruised foot.

She finished seventh with a time of 14.346 seconds — one second behind Connor McDavid who won with a time of 13.378.

Video

Coyne Schofield, who reached a top speed of 24 MPH, inspired U-S-A! chants from the crowd.

via Gfycat

After her run, Coyne Schofield got high-fives from all the other All-Stars on the benches.

“It was electrifying,” Coyne Schofield said to Pierre McGuire after her skate. “Pretty tired but awesome to be here.”

Pierre asked what her secret was to going so fast.

“Just keep my feet moving,” she said. “Crossover. Not fall!”

Pierre also shared a nice tidbit with Coyne Schofield.

“So you’re skating by all these players, you know what they were [saying]? ‘Oh my gosh is she fast,'” Pierre said. “Nobody wants to lose to you. Way to go, Kendall!”

McDavid, the eventual winner, was excited about having Coyne Schofield in the competition.

MacKinnon was apparently the one who suggested Coyne Schofield after learning he had to withdraw.

She was happy to accept.

Thank you, Kendall, for showcasing what women’s hockey players can do.

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