Kendall Coyne Schofield Withdraws From 2026-27 PWHL Season
Minnesota Frost star Kendall Coyne Schofield announces she is pregnant and will sit out the upcoming professional hockey season.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Pregnancy
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Professional Women's Hockey League standout Kendall Coyne Schofield announced on Thursday that she is pregnant. Consequently, the two-time Walter Cup champion will miss the entirety of the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Why it matters
As a key forward for the Minnesota Frost, Coyne Schofield's absence creates a significant void in the team's offensive lineup. Her pregnancy marks a temporary pause in a career that has established her as one of the league's most consistent scoring threats.
Coyne Schofield concluded her 2025-26 season with 23 points, including 12 goals and 11 assists, alongside a plus-22 rating. She maintains a career plus-minus record of plus-46 across her tenure in the league.
The players
Kendall Coyne Schofield
She is a professional hockey player and a two-time Walter Cup champion.
Minnesota Frost
This is a professional women's hockey team competing in the PWHL.
The details
Coyne Schofield signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Frost in August 2026 to continue her tenure with the organization. She has served as a central figure for the team since joining the PWHL, contributing significantly to their recent championship successes.
Timeline
In August 2026, Coyne Schofield signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Frost.
On October 29, 2026, Coyne Schofield announced her pregnancy and withdrawal from the season.
The 2026-27 PWHL season is scheduled to begin on December 5, 2026.
Culture Shift
The professional hockey landscape is currently navigating the integration of family-planning support within its collective bargaining frameworks. This development reflects a broader movement toward accommodating parenthood for elite female athletes while maintaining professional continuity.
Minnesota Frost fans and followers of the PWHL will see changes to the team roster and rotation during the 2026-27 season. Supporters should expect shifts in offensive strategy as the team adjusts to playing without their star forward.
The takeaway
Professional athletes are increasingly balancing high-level competitive careers with family planning, signaling a maturation in the support systems available to them. This news serves as a reminder of the personal life milestones that impact the stability and planning of professional sports franchises.
Further reading
For more information on family health and related news, visit the Pregnancy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportsnet.
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