Kendall Coyne Schofield Stepping Away From Hockey for Pregnancy

Big News for Minnesota

Minnesota Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield is stepping away from hockey. The four time Olympian announced on Thursday that she is pregnant with her second child.

The 34 year old shared the news on social media with a picture of her son, Drew, wearing a cap that read "big bro." She added the caption "Coming soon..." with a heart emoji.

Because of the news, she will miss the upcoming PWHL season. She will also skip the women's world ice hockey championship tournament in Denmark, which starts next week. She practiced with Team USA at camp in Plymouth, Michigan, this week, but she will not travel overseas.

Frost General Manager Melissa Caruso offered full backing to the team captain. She said the team cannot wait to welcome the newest member of the family and will support her in every way possible.

A Decorated Career

Coyne Schofield has built an incredible career both internationally and professionally. She won her second Olympic gold medal in February at the Milan Cortina Games and holds two silver medals as well.

She is also a two time PWHL Walter Cup champion with the Frost. In August, the Chicago area native signed a two year contract to stay with the team. She was one of the franchise's first three foundational players when the league began in 2023.

Her career numbers are among the best in the sport. In 89 international games, she has posted 41 goals and 98 points while winning six world championship gold medals. In the PWHL, she has scored 30 goals and 63 points in 77 games. That puts her tied for fourth in goals and tied for third in points in league history.

Shaping League Policy

Off the ice, the captain has played a massive role in building women's professional hockey. She was heavily involved in negotiations that brought the six team PWHL into reality in 2023.

She previously joked about giving birth to her son on July 1, 2023, just one day before players ratified the collective bargaining agreement.

Her personal situation helped bring real structural changes for mothers in the sport. Before the inaugural season, the league modified its collective bargaining agreement to provide a nanny for players' children through their first birthday. Coyne Schofield is married to former NFL offensive lineman Michael Schofield.