While the NHL has been known for historically having all-male coaches, the Seattle Kraken’s season opener changed everything. Jessica Campbell, Kraken assistant coach, debuted as the first woman to hold this role.
Who is Jessica Campbell?
Before making ground-breaking sport history, Jessica Campbell was a notable hockey player herself. From Team Saskatchewan team captain, to winning silver medals with the Pursuit of Excellence team in 2009 and 2010, Campbell has shown passion and leadership which has successfully prepared her to show those same skills as coach.
In addition to these early achievements, Campbell carried her skills into her college career. She played for Cornell Big Red, Cornell University’s hockey team, which is a NCAA Division l program from the 2010-11 to the 2013-14 season. After her college career, she moved on to be the first rookie to be a game captain in the first Canadian Women’s Hockey League All-Star Game.
Campbell played on the Canadian women’s national under-18 team, where she led her team to victory in the 2010 IIHF Women’s U18 World Hockey Championship. She was captain as well as named Most Valuable Player and Top 3 player for Canada. With these achievements under her belt all before the age of 18, it’s no surprise to see how successful she has become in her adult years.
History in the Making
Campbell’s coaching career began after her retirement from the Canadian national team in 2017 where she did individual coaching with a Powerskating organization. In 2022, she became assistant coach for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, which earned her historic title as first woman to be a full-time AHL coach. This leads us to now, 2024, where Campbell debuted as assistant coach, first woman to do so, for the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.
Breaking Stereotypes
Although these achievements are overall impressive, they shine even more given the sport industry’s history. Professional hockey has traditionally only seen men coaching, which makes Campbell’s rise to assistant coach more than just a personal success.
While this is a win for Campbell, it is also a win for women in the sport industry. She has broken barriers by showing that passion and dedication prove that success in the coaching industry, specifically in men’s leagues, can be achieved by anyone, regardless of gender.
A 2018 research study shows that female coaches rank higher in relationship quality with both female and male athletes. This means the door has opened for more female coaches in the coming future and Jessica Campbell is only the beginning.