How Kendall Coyne Schofield will help rebuilding Blackhawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Kendall Coyne Schofield broke another barrier for women in hockey on Monday when she became the first female development coach in the history of the Blackhawks organization.
In her new role, Coyne Schofield, 28, will assist the Rockford IceHogs coaching staff in the skills development of current players, while also evaluating and scouting potential prospects.
Kendall became the first woman to compete in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition, recording a time of 14.326 seconds in the Fastest Skater challenge on Jan. 25, 2019. The Palos Heights, Illinois native also helped Team USA capture the gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
She'll additionally serve as a youth hockey growth specialist with the Hawks after previously being a local community liaison for the team.
"This is an incredible opportunity," Coyne Schofield said in a video conference call on Monday. "I'm so excited. I remember being three years old putting on my first pair of skates and watching the Blackhawks play, and at seven years old playing in the junior Blackhawks game at the United Center and doing it again when I was nine. And then from there time passed and I became the intern in 2014 after the Olympics in the media relations department."I've always felt a part of this organization, so to see things finally be formalized ... from a business standpoint is such an honor. As a young kid, I always dreamed to be a part of this organization."
The move was an impressive hire by the Hawks. Impressive not only in terms of helping to further the progress of gender equality in hockey, but in bringing in someone with an incredible work ethic who knows what it takes to be a champion on the world's biggest stage to aid in the development of young players at a pivotal point in the history of the franchise.
A handful of the prospects Kendall will be working with could likely get a look and maybe even a recurring role on the big club this year with the rebuilding the Blackhawks are doing after making such moves as trading away Brandon Saad again and letting Corey Crawford walk.
"That's one of the reasons I'm even more excited because there's such a focus and emphasis on developing the younger players in the organization, and those younger players are the players that I'm going to be working with," Coyne Schofield said. "And so, do I think it's our job to make them NHL ready as soon as possible? Absolutely. That's always the goal no matter if the team is focused on developing the younger players right now or not. The goal is always to make sure they're going to be NHL ready when they get the call.
"I'm excited. I think one thing I can relate to from my playing career is I was a young player for a long time with the Women's National Team, now I'm finally old. So I can relate to those players and what it feels like to be young and trying to make it to that next level and I can't wait to use my experience to help guide them in their experiences."
Kendall doesn't see gender being an issue with the new gig, which it shouldn't be given her on-ice accomplishments and previous work with the organization.
“I think no matter who walks through the door — whether it's a new coach, a new nutritionist, a new strength coach — you need to earn the trust and the respect of the players and I plan on doing that right away through the work ethic that I will show them," Coyne Schofield said. "That's how I made it as a player and that's how I plan on making it as a coach.
“And while I might be the first female coach a lot of these players have worked with, I don't see it being an issue. I see them seeing me as someone that's going to aspire to get to the next level to fulfill their NHL dream and I'm going to do everything I can to get them ready to do that."
