The hockey world is abuzz with excitement as the Seattle Kraken organization has just announced a groundbreaking move – Jessica Campbell will be joining the team as an assistant coach. This historic announcement marks the first time a female will be a full-time assistant coach on the bench of an NHL team, a significant milestone in the sport’s history.
Jessica Campbell is no stranger to breaking barriers in her career. Back in 2022, she made history as the first woman to be named assistant coach of the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. It was during her time there that she worked closely with the Kraken’s current head coach, Dan Bylsma, laying the groundwork for her future role in Seattle.
At just 32 years old, Campbell’s rapid rise to an NHL coaching position is truly remarkable. Her journey from player to coach began at Cornell University, where she played for the Big Red in the women’s NCAA ranks. She then went on to play professionally with the Calgary Inferno and the Malmo Redhawks in Sweden, even representing Team Canada in the Women’s World Championship in 2015 before transitioning to coaching.
In a 2021 interview with the Toronto Star, Campbell spoke about the significance of her personal achievements and the importance of representation in the sport. Her entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills were evident in her work with J.C. Powerskating, where she trained elite players like Tyson Jost, Joel Edmundson, and Natalie Spooner before making her mark in the coaching world.
Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis’s decision to hire Campbell for this historic role is a nod to the growing presence of women in hockey. Campbell herself acknowledged the decreasing barriers in the sport, pointing to pioneers like Angela James, Geraldine Heaney, and Cammi Granato who were inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2008. Granato, in particular, continues to pave the way for women in the NHL as the assistant general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, while the legendary Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser made history as the first woman to play professional men’s hockey in a non-goaltender position in 2003 and currently holds a managerial position with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The appointment of Jessica Campbell as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken is not just a milestone for the team, but a testament to the growing presence of women in the NHL coaching ranks. With each barrier broken and each glass ceiling shattered, the future of women in hockey looks brighter than ever.
