From suburban rinks to international runways of ice and snow, the Chicago-area pipeline shows up in a big way in winter sport. In total, eight athletes with Illinois hometown ties connect back to our coverage area across four sports: ice hockey, Paralympic sled hockey, speedskating, and ski jumping.

Here’s the local roster at a glance: Brody Roybal (Northlake) and Josh Misiewicz (La Grange) in sled hockey; Kevin Bickner (Wauconda) in ski jumping; Ethan Cepuran (Glen Ellyn) and Sarah Warren (Willowbrook) in speedskating; and Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights), Tessa Janecke (Warren), and Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park) in ice hockey.

Note: Ages are calculated as of Feb. 6, 2026 using publicly listed birthdates.

Local Athletes at a Glance

Ice Hockey: Suburban Rinks, World-Class Results

Chicago’s hockey footprint isn’t theoretical anymore, it’s measurable. Three athletes on this local list trace their roots back to Illinois communities where early mornings meant cold rinks, heavy gear, and the kind of repetition that turns into elite edgework.

Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights) stands as one of the most recognizable Illinois-linked names in the sport, with a game built on pace, control, and veteran calm. Source

Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park) carries that same Illinois grind upward, a forward whose rise tracks directly through the Chicagoland hockey ecosystem. Source

Tessa Janecke (Warren) represents the next wave: a new-generation Illinois hockey product whose story fits the region’s growing reputation for developing top-end talent. Source

Speedskating: Illinois on the Fast Track

Two of the fastest skaters connected to our coverage area come from suburbs that don’t have mountains, but do have relentless work ethic and strong training culture.

Ethan Cepuran (Glen Ellyn) is a long-track speedskater with deep local ties, including hometown and early skating connections to the area. Source

Sarah Warren (Willowbrook) adds another Illinois hometown thread to the speedskating story, reinforcing how frequently this region shows up in high-level skating pipelines. Source

Ski Jumping: Wauconda’s Flight Path

Ski jumping looks like pure physics and bravery (and it kind of is), and Kevin Bickner (Wauconda) is the Illinois connection in the air. His hometown ties put a local stamp on one of the most visually dramatic events in winter sport. Source

Paralympic Sled Hockey: Local Grit, Elite Level

Two athletes on this list connect Illinois directly to Paralympic sled hockey, a sport defined by speed, contact, and razor-sharp teamwork.

Brody Roybal (Northlake) is one of the most recognizable names in U.S. sled hockey, with Illinois roots that keep him squarely in the local story. Source

Josh Misiewicz (La Grange) adds another hometown anchor point for the suburbs, pairing Illinois origins with a career built on resilience and high-performance competition. Source

These athletes share more than Olympic credentials. They share a foundation built in Illinois communities that supported their early development through park district rinks, suburban arenas, school programs, and regional clubs.

For local readers, these Olympians are not distant figures. They are products of familiar villages, shared facilities, and neighborhoods that helped shape their paths to the world’s biggest winter stage.

Why This Matters Locally

What ties these athletes together is not just Olympic participation, but a shared foundation in Illinois communities that supported their early development. From park district rinks and suburban ice arenas to high-school programs and regional clubs, the Chicago area continues to produce athletes capable of reaching the sport’s highest level.

For local readers, these Olympians aren’t distant names. They’re products of familiar villages, shared facilities, and neighborhoods that helped shape their careers.

At localsuburbs.com, our mission is to spotlight the stories that start right here at home. From youth sports programs and park district rinks to athletes reaching the world’s biggest stages, we strive to bring meaningful, community-centered news to our subscribers and followers. By highlighting the people, places, and achievements rooted in our local suburbs, we help connect readers to the stories that shape where they live.

Authored by: Joyce Guccione Editor in Chief