Kendall Coyne Becomes First Woman to Compete in NHL All-Star Skills Competition

Coyne finished in 7th place–but was the first woman to ever participate in the NHL's All-Star Skills competition.

The NHL had a woman participate in its' All-Star skills competition for the first time in history on Friday night when U.S. Women's National Team forward Kendall Coyne subbed in for Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon in the fastest skater event.

MacKinnon, who has 71 points on the season so far, pulled out of the 2019 All-Star contest for undisclosed reasons. Coyne was originally slated to attend the event with other female players to demonstrate the skills but was asked by the Avalanche to be MacKinnon's last-minute replacement.

While Colorado's star center is in San Jose for the weekend, the Avalanche announced Friday night that he had "someone else in mind to compete for Fastest Skater," tagging Coyne on Twitter.

Coyne happily agreed, responding, "It would be my honor! I’ll get to the rink as fast as I can!"

It would be my honor! I’ll get to the rink as fast as I can! #NHLAllStar #HockeyIsForEveryone https://t.co/D0FyiQ1uZM

— Kendall Coyne Schofield (@KendallCoyne) January 25, 2019

The 26-year-old skater put up a time of 14.346 seconds the contest.

KENDALL COYNE GOT WHEELS pic.twitter.com/O0ZR0xnDLC

— SI NHL (@SI_NHL) January 26, 2019

Coyne finished in 7th place as she competed against the Blue Jackets' Cam Atkinson, the Islanders' Mat Barzal, the Sabres' Jack Eichel, Dallas's Miro Heiskanen, the Coyotes' Clayton Keller, Oilers' Connor McDavid, and Elias Pettersson of the Canucks.

McDavid, who won the fatest skater competition for his third consecutive title, was excited to have Coyne in the contest.

Looks like the reigning @Bridgestone NHL Fastest Skater, @cmcdavid97, might have some competition this year.@KendallCoyne, let's see what you've got. 😏 #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/SO4VVf2N3w

— NHL (@NHL) January 26, 2019

With the U.S. women's team, Coyne has won five gold medals at the IIHF World Women's Championships, a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics and silver at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.

The 2019 NHL All-Stars will compete in six events showcasing their talent tonight at 9 p.m. ET at the Sharks' SAP Center in San Jose. All six event will be individual competitions, with the winner of each walking away with a $25,000 prize.