Q & A with NHL All-Star Skills Competition participant Kendall Coyne Schofield

Kendall Coyne Schofield broke through a massive gender barrier when she competed in the fastest skater event at the NHL All-Star Skills competition. She became the first woman to ever compete with the men in the event and blazed around the rink in a time that was right there with the fastest hockey players on the planet, including Connor McDavid.

READ MORE: U.S. hockey star Kendall Coyne Schofield makes history at NHL All-Star weekend

Coyne Schofield is a two-time Olympic medallist with the United States women’s hockey team. She was in town for the Edmonton Oilers’ game against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night because she’s an analyst for NBC’s national NHL broadcast in the U.S.

Global News’ Quinn Phillips recently had the chance to talk to her about her barrier-breaking skate and more.

Q: What was the reaction of the players when you were at the skills competition?  

A: I would say they were in awe. I was doing my thing, something I’ve been doing since I was three years old. It was cool to see their support because their support validated what we (female hockey players) do every single day. They know how hard we work and we know how hard they work and they view us as hockey players, and for them to show their emotion in that moment and how awesome it was, I think proved to the world that we do belong in the sport of hockey.

Q: Where do you get the power in that small frame? (Coyne Schofield is listed at five-foot-two)

A: I don’t weigh much, I’m 125 pounds, but I want to be 125 pounds of muscle. That’s something I can control, is my effort in the weight room. I know I can’t control my height and my size, but I can control my strength and that’s a big part of my game and that has helped me get faster over the years.

Q: Do you get recognized more? What has it been like since then?

Q: There’s still a long ways to go, but are you seeing a change in how women’s hockey is viewed and consumed by sports fans? 

Q: In terms of broadcasting, has this all come about since the All-Star Game?

Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of women’s hockey.

2:04 Women’s hockey feature at Jeux du Québec

• Women’s hockey feature at Jeux du Québec
• Women’s hockey tournament features the best of the best
• Indian national women’s hockey team ‘so excited’ about training in Calgary area
• Saskatchewan Hockey Hero
• A closer look at the success 2 players from Alberta are having in women’s hockey
• Saskatoon hosting Four Nations Cup international women’s hockey tournament
• CWHL’s Clarkson Cup to have team from outside North American for first time
• Natalie Spooner says silver in women’s hockey ‘tough pill to swallow’

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