An NHL team is making history as the first-ever in the league to hire a full-time female assistant coach, she also happens to be Canadian.
The Seattle Kraken announced on X on Wednesday that it has enlisted the expertise of Jessica Campbell, a former forward with the Canadian women’s national team, as its newest Assistant Coach.
Campbell is from Rocanville, Saskatchewan and prior to her new role was an AHL Assistant Coach with the CV Firebirds under Dan Bylsma, who was announced as the new Seattle Kraken Head Coach on Tuesday.
Campbell joined the Firebirds for the 2022-23 season and played an integral role in securing two trips to the AHL Calder Cup Final.
She was also assistant coach for Germany at the 2022 IIHF Men’s World Championship, making her the first woman on the coaching staff of a men’s national team at the tournament.
As of Oct. 8, when the Kraken play their season opener against St. Louis, Campbell will become the first full-time female assistant coach in the NHL, Seattle Kraken confirmed in a press release on Wednesday.
“Jessica and I spent the last two years coaching in Coachella Valley,” Bylsma said in a statement. “I’m confident of what she can do for our staff and bring to the players. I watched her build strong relationships with prospects such as Tye Kartye, Shane Wright and Ryker Evans.”
According to the advocacy organization Canadian Women & Sport, studies in Canada and globally show that organizations with diverse leadership often perform better, which in sports can translate to winning teams and organizations.
“It is proven that women in leadership can help change the culture within sports organizations, promoting environments that are prone for success while also being more respectful, supportive, and free from discrimination and harassment,” the group told Now Toronto in an email statement.
Following her appointment Campbell said she was “a big believer in pushing players even at the NHL level to achieve levels they haven’t yet.”
Seattle Kraken also announced that Bob Woods would join as Assistant Coach.
Byslma chose two new assistant coaches with whom he was “both familiar and impressed with,” according to the press release, with many NHL players relying on Campbell’s coaching skills during the off season.
“Campbell was already known among NHL players as a go-to coach for offseason power skating and skills workouts when the pandemic slowed her growing skills coach business based at a rink in Kelowna, BC,” the press release said.
Hockey fans have been reacting to the news on social media.
“Wow this is awesome, hopefully this opens the doors for more women. Well done @SeattleKraken,” one person said.
“Literally crying. Congratulations @boof_campbell you did it,” another user wrote.
“Great hire. Excited to see this franchise leading the way.”
“We are so happy for Jessica Campbell and her well deserved appointment as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken…it signals an important cultural shift within the sports industry towards greater inclusivity and acceptance of women in all roles, including those traditionally dominated by men,” Canadian Women & Sport concluded.
The 2024-25 NHL season is scheduled to start on Oct. 4.
