Jessica Campbell made history by becoming the first female coach for the NHL as an assistant for the Seattle Kraken. The 31-year-old coached alongside Dan Bylsma at the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Firebirds, before being promoted to the NHL team. Campbell’s success in player development and establishing relationships with players contributed to her hire. She helped lead the Firebirds to the Calder Cup Final in two consecutive seasons and even coached the Kraken in a preseason game against the Calgary Flames.
Campbell joins a group of trailblazing women who have made their mark as coaches in major sports leagues, including Alyssa Nakken in MLB, Becky Hammon in the NBA, and Kathryn Smith in the NFL. Growing up in Saskatchewan, Campbell had to play against boys as girls’ hockey was not available in her hometown. She went on to play for Cornell University and professional teams in Canada and Sweden before transitioning to coaching.
Despite the barriers she faced, Campbell’s dedication and hard work have brought her to this milestone in her coaching career. She is honored to be on this path and hopes to continue making an impact in the NHL. The Kraken did not hire Campbell solely because she is a woman but because of her coaching skills, background in skating and skill development, and the success she had with the Firebirds. Campbell’s journey from dreaming of playing in the NHL to coaching at the highest level is a testament to her perseverance and passion for the game.
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