U.S. Hockey Star Kendall Coyne Schofield Scores Twice in Olympic Comeback After Motherhood

Coyne Schofield's husband Michael, a former NFL player, says her return to hockey after giving birth is "the best thing in the world".

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Kendall Coyne Schofield, a member of the U.S. women's hockey team, scored two goals in the quarterfinal match against Italy at the 2026 Olympics. This marked a proud moment in her professional career, as she had returned to form after giving birth to her son. Her husband, retired NFL player Michael Schofield, expressed his excitement and support for her comeback, saying that her child has motivated her to keep playing rather than retire.

Why it matters

Coyne Schofield's story highlights the challenges and determination of elite female athletes who choose to start a family during their careers. Her ability to return to the highest level of competition after childbirth is an inspiration, showing that motherhood can fuel an athlete's drive and passion rather than end their career.

The details

In the quarterfinal match against Italy, Coyne Schofield scored two goals to help the U.S. women's hockey team win 6-0. The team took 51 shots on goal, while Italy managed only 5. Coyne Schofield's husband, Michael Schofield, a former NFL offensive lineman, expressed his pride and excitement in seeing her comeback, noting that many had thought her career was over when she announced her pregnancy, but she was determined to return to the ice.

  • Kendall Coyne Schofield scored two goals for Team USA in the quarterfinal match against Italy on February 14, 2026.

The players

Kendall Coyne Schofield

A member of the U.S. women's hockey team who scored two goals in the quarterfinal match against Italy at the 2026 Olympics, marking a proud moment in her professional career after returning to form following the birth of her son.

Michael Schofield

Kendall Coyne Schofield's husband, a retired NFL offensive lineman who won Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos. He expressed his excitement and support for his wife's comeback to hockey after she gave birth to their son.

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What they’re saying

“It's a reminder of the journey that it took to get here, to come back after giving childbirth and, you know, just the sacrifice, the journey, the village that it took to get here. I think those that have a child knows it takes a village to raise one. And so, I've had a pretty incredible village that has helped me get here, get back here.”

— Kendall Coyne Schofield (wbal.com)

“When she announced she was going to be, she was pregnant, going to have a kid, you know, people are texting, 'Oh, congrats,' 'Great career, great career,' thinking her career is over. And, you know, it's like, 'No, I'm going to come back.' She always says you don't want Drew to be the reason why she retired. She wants Drew to be the reason why she keeps playing, you know? And it's just, it's so special and, you know, seeing a game like this where she has two goals and everything, it's just, it's the best thing in the world, you know? And … Drew gets excited. You know, it's the best.”

— Michael Schofield, Kendall Coyne Schofield's husband (wbal.com)

The takeaway

Kendall Coyne Schofield's inspiring comeback to the U.S. women's hockey team after giving birth to her son demonstrates the determination and resilience of elite female athletes who choose to start a family during their careers. Her story challenges the notion that motherhood must mean the end of an athletic career and shows how it can instead fuel an athlete's drive and passion to excel.