Blackhawks Add 3 to Hockey Operations Staff
On Monday the Blackhawks announced three additions to their hockey operations staff.
Kendall Coyne Schofield as Player Development Coach & Youth Hockey Growth Specialist, Erik Condra as Player Development Coach and Juan Gonzalez as the Rockford IceHog’s Strength & Conditioning Coach.
Coyne and Condra will assist the IceHogs staff in the skills development of current players, while also evaluating, assessing and scouting potential prospects.
Coyne is a six-time World Champion at the IIHF Women’s World Championship. She represented the U.S. in the Olympic Winter Games twice, earning a Gold Medal in PyeongChang 2018 and silver medal in Sochi 2014. A native of Palos Heights, Coyne has been a local community liaison for the Chicago Blackhawks organization and has served as a broadcasting analyst with NBC Sports.
Condra, 34, last appeared in the NHL with the Dallas Stars during the 2018-19 season, playing in six games. He played 372 regular season games in the NHL after four years at Notre Dame.
Yes, I’m dropping in to be the token female to say Kendall Coyne is really a great hire. Glad they are giving the hometown girl a shot.
Congrats to all3
Good to see the Blackhawks taking the initiative with the signings, congratulations to them all and hope they have successful Nhl careers.
Stefanie: guess I’ll be the token male to echo your comment on Coyne Schofield.
TV work was quite good. Clearly able to communicate; knows the organization and the Chicago community; and knows hockey. Skills development and growing the game among kids (presumably both boys and girls) are right in her wheelhouse.
Congratulations to all three.
Player Development Coach ….you gotta be kidding me !
@Hawks2015, I will assume you’re incredulous at the Kendall Coyne hire?!
I’ll bite & poke the bear. I know PLENTY of men (including Tab) will back me here.
If you think Kendall can’t succeed in this role just because she’s a female: you need to educate yourself on her and her career.
If you are gonna bitch about hockey “experience”: Kendall is more qualified than the current Head Coach.
If you’re going to bitch about how the guys won’t respect her because she’s a girl: Patrick Kane, Dylan Larkin, Phil Kessel and Doug Wilson (just off the top of my head) would like to step into the chat.
If you’re still reading: WHY THE EFF is it ok for men to coach elite women’s teams (ie. Bob Corkum, Geno Auriemma, etc.) and NOT ok for women to coach men?
@Stephanie
Wouldn’t even waste your time on clowns like that guy.
When they talk about how “important” the 2020 playoff was for “experience ” I have to believe this was for the coach jc much more than it was for the players…..though I’m sure nylander gained a valuable experience in the four minutes he played….what a joke…
I mean do you really think the players gained significant experience against the joke that is the Oilers? How about the whopping five games against vegas….you know…the same vegas team that manhandled them in the regular season the past few years.. how about boqvistwho was manhandled on the ice…maybe he got some experience…..yeah the “experience” was for the coach…
Also noting nothing wrong with her earning the position. Shes well accomplished. Shes accomplished way more than oh let’s say nylander for example. No one is going to mention the Notre dame connection on the one hire? What is stan trying to get his kids free tuition or something next thing you know well have an outdoor game there
A better ‘important experience’ is to see another top 5 skill draft player picked. Well when your the 12 th seed and your picking 17th something is wrong with the league/I mean Bettman.
Wow Stephanie way to jump on the sexist band wagon ,,,my point ….the Hawks are not capable of drafting and develop players …where you been ?
Has nothing to do with the sex of any given player or personnel .
So….go have your tantrum on a Vanity Fair site .
I cannot help but appreciate Hawks2015 a) complaining about the Hawks inability to develop talent, while b) complaining about the team hiring new people to bring a fresh perspective to player development.
LOL
Coyne who is a very strong skater, an area the Blackhawks have missed the mark in recent years while trying to develop young players. If she can help in that area alone, she’ll be worth her weight in gold. As for other part of her role, helping develop youth hockey, what she brings there is very obvious.