US pairs champion John Coughlin has surgery and won't compete next month at nationals in Omaha

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Kansas City native John Coughlin had been looking forward to next month’s U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Omaha. It would have been a chance for the pairs skater to compete for a national title close to his hometown.

But now that won’t happen for the Center High School grad. Coughlin has had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. The injury will force the 27-year-old Coughlin to miss the upcoming U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Dr. Marc Philippon performed the surgery in Vail, Colo. Coughlin is undergoing rehab at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

41 Action News reached Coughlin’s father, Mike, by phone as he was driving to Colorado to check on his son’s condition.

“He’s really upbeat and positive,” Mike Coughlin said. “He’s always a kid on a mission. Tell him he can’t do something and he’s bound and determined he’s going to. If anyone can respond to this, he has the chemistry for that. It’s critical not to bring him back too early and have a setback.”

Mike Coughlin isn’t sure exactly how his son’s injury happened. He said his son was having some pain and then needed surgery the next day.

He said his son and his pairs partner, Caydee Denney, are hopeful to return in March for the World Championships.

Earlier this fall, Denney and John Coughlin captured a silver medal at the Nebelhorn Trophy. The pair won bronze medals at their Grand Prix assignments, Skate America and Rostelecom Cup.