She started her college career by notching two points in each of her first two games. She kept going, notching at least one point in each of her first nine games, finishing the season with 26 goals and 45 points. For her scoring prowess, as well as her overall importance to the Northeastern Huskies, Kendall Coyne has been named USCHO’s Women’s Rookie of the Year for 2011-2012, edging Cornell’s Jillian Saulnier.
On the year, it was rare for Coyne, who led her team in scoring, not to get at least one point in a game. She was only held scoreless five times, thrice by Boston College and twice by Providence. She averaged 1.45 points-per-game on the year. Among her other highlights were:
• 13 multipoint games;
• back-to-back four-point games against New Hampshire and Vermont in January;
• assisting on the game-winning goal in the Beanpot final against Boston University;
• three Hockey East Player of the Week awards;
• two Hockey East Player of the Month awards;
• four Hockey East Rookie of the Week awards;
• one Hockey East Rookie of the Month award; and
• U.S. Player of the Game against Finland in the Four Nations Cup on Nov. 12, 2011.
Overall, Coyne finished second nationally in freshman scoring behind Saulnier, who had a better supporting cast around her than Coyne did.
