TORONTO — Jessica Campbell, an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken, recently had a heartwarming moment while observing warm-ups before a game. As she watched the Dallas Stars prepare, her attention was drawn to a young girl in the stands, whose excitement was palpable. “I locked eyes with her in that moment… it hit me that I’m looking at her and she can now see what she can become. I never had that,” Campbell shared, reflecting on the inspiration she hopes to provide to young fans.
At just 32 years old, Campbell has made history by becoming the first woman to serve in an on-the-bench coaching role in the NHL. After two seasons with the Kraken’s minor league affiliate, she was named an assistant coach in July. As she integrates herself into the Kraken, she emphasizes the importance of building relationships within the team, managing the rigorous schedule, and balancing her role as a pioneering figure in professional sports.
“It’s about managing the attention as a trailblazer,” said Campbell, who took time to engage with reporters during her first NHL games in Canada. “I don’t take it lightly, the path that I’m on… but I can’t take any moment for granted. I never do.” Growing up in Rocanville, Saskatchewan, Campbell was passionate about hockey from a young age. She honed her skills on frozen ponds while wearing the jersey of her childhood favorite, the Montreal Canadiens, taught to skate by her mother, Monique.
During a recent game at Bell Centre, Campbell experienced a moment of nostalgia as Seattle triumphed over Montreal with a score of 8-2. “I played one game at the Bell Centre at the very end of my career in the CWHL and went to the Habs game with my parents right after,” she said, noting the emotional significance of her journey in the sport.
Campbell’s ascent in the hockey world has been rapid. After retiring as a player and coaching in Sweden, she found herself working as a power-skating consultant amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This role became critical as NHL players sought additional ice time to prepare for the league’s restart in 2020. These sessions proved to Campbell that pursuing her goals in the NHL was not just a dream but a possibility. “They allowed me to see that it was possible,” she expressed about the players who attended her sessions.
Her reputation in power-skating led to a coaching opportunity with the German national team during the 2022 men’s world championship, eventually leading to her hiring by the Kraken to work under former NHL coach Dan Bylsma with their American Hockey League affiliate. When Bylsma transitioned to the head coach for the Kraken, Campbell embraced the challenge of belonging to the top level of the sport.
“The players have been great and very respectful,” Campbell noted of the team’s welcoming attitude towards her. Despite the uniqueness of her role, she finds it important to connect with the players on a personal level. “I believe I’m a very approachable person and compassionate,” she added when discussing the dynamics within the locker room.
Drawing from her experiences as a player, Campbell values a positive coaching approach, stating, “Even top players sometimes don’t even know how good they are. You give affirmations… care about them as human beings.” Campbell is no stranger to success, having captained Canada’s under-18 team to gold in 2010 and winning a silver medal at the women’s worlds in 2015.
Feeling a strong sense of belonging in professional hockey, she remains focused on her responsibilities and the broader implications of her success. “It keeps me grounded and it puts a lot of meaning into the work that I do,” Campbell said. “I’m part of something a lot bigger than myself.”