Another Gorbatenko Skating For The Fillies Hockey Club

By Ross Forman
And now, there’s Kendra Gorbatenko, the latest local skater following her legendary sisters.

Kendra, 13, lives in South Barrington, where she is homeschooled and also attends some classes at Barrington High School as a freshman. She plays this season for the Barringotn Fillies Hockey Club, a mix of players from Barrington, Lake Zurich, Hersey, Buffalo Grove, Prospect and Fremd High Schools. The Fillies skate their home games at Triphahn Ice Arena in Hoffman Estates. She also plays defense for the Chicago Mission 14U girls team.

Gorbatenko patrols defense for the Fillies with Payton Gorman, a freshman from Fremd.

“(I) would love to win state this year,” Gorbatenko said. “We are a young team and have a lot of excitement.”

Gorbatenko formerly skated for the Wolverines and Timberwolves, and she sports jersey No. 73, in tribute to her mom’s birth year. Gorbatenko is coming off a 2026 state championship season – and she had a hat trick in the final game.

Gorbatenko is an offensive defenseman whose personal hockey highlight was playing with two of her sisters, Rachel and Nicole, for the Wolverines.

One moment that long stands out was a goal in a state tournament game, she said. “I kept control of the puck, skating past players, then lifted the puck to get it over the goalie’s pad.”

Kendra said “it is cool” following the skates of some amazing players – her sisters. “It is fun for us to have similar memories, even though we are playing years apart,” Kendra said. “They taught me to chase the puck and never give up.”

And yes, having the name GORBATENKO on the back of her jersey adds pressure. “It kind of feels like a flag and you have to represent it,” she said. “They help me manage the energy throughout the whole game. I try not to overthink the game and talking to them (helps). They help me stay confident.”

Slapshots With … Fillies Defenseman Kendra Gorbatenko

Sporting Life: Enjoys playing volleyball and flag football
Giving Thanks: To her dad – “He skates with me twice maybe even three times a week and does film (work) with me.”
It’s A Fact: “I enjoy doing hip-hop and gymnastics.”
Off The Ice: “I really like art and being creative with painting, clay and drawing, or hanging out with friends on call or in person, and playing with my dogs.”
It Helps: Shooting, stick handling and lifting weights
Superstitions on the Ice: “I pray before every game.”
Long-term Career Goals: Play NCAA Division I college hockey and eventually go to the PWHL
Favorite NHL Team: Edmonton Oilers 
Favorite PWHL Team: Minnesota Frost 
Favorite College Team: Wisconsin Badgers 
Favorite NHL Player: Cale Makar 
Favorite PWHL Player: Caroline “KK” Harvey 
Favorite College Hockey Players: “My sisters: Rachel, Nicole and Kelly Gorbatenko.” 
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle 
Favorite TV Show: 911 or Chicago Med 
Motivational Song: Sweet Nothing by Calvin Harris 
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Oatmeal or chicken and rice 
Favorite app: Bible 
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Olivia Rodrigo 
Favorite High School Uniform (other than the Fillies): None