In the tranquility of Wallace, New Jersey, a news in the ice hockey world stirred up ripples. The Seattle Kraken team has announced the appointment of Jessica Campbell as the first NHL assistant coach. This historic appointment not only adds a touch of color to Campbell’s personal career, but also opens a new window for the global female ice hockey coach community to reach the top league.
“This is an exciting moment that is a great inspiration for all women,” said Kara Morey, a senior visiting coach at the Philadelphia Flyers Development Camp. She has been quietly coaching the Princeton Women’s Ice Team for 13 years and is about to enter her 14th season. Morey is well aware that Campbell’s leap is not only a symbol of personal honor, but also a clear evidence of the increasing influence of female coaches in the field of ice hockey.
“Campbell has found her own stage, and her talent and efforts have received the recognition they deserve.” Morey’s words reveal deep respect for her peers, “which marks the continuous expansion of our career path, from college ice hockey to professional women’s ice hockey leagues, and now to the NHL, every step has witnessed the rise of female coaching power.”
Morey himself is also a witness and participant in this transformation. During her three years at the Flying Man Development Camp, she not only fought alongside a group of male ice hockey rookies, but also won the respect and trust of the coaching team and players with her unique communication style and teaching philosophy. “My communication style may differ from many male coaches, but it is precisely this difference that allows players to understand and absorb information from different perspectives,” she confidently shared.
Looking back on her career, Morey played on the field of the National Women’s Ice Hockey League for three years before transitioning to the education industry, transforming her love for ice hockey into a driving force for nurturing the next generation. Now, standing at a new historical juncture, she is full of expectations and aspirations for the future. “The coaching profession is always full of variables, but it is these changes that make it full of charm,” Morey admitted. “Although I am very satisfied with my current situation, I also know that as long as I keep working hard, one day I can stand on a higher stage.”
With Campbell’s successful breakthrough at NHL, Morey believes that in the future, more female coaches will have their names engraved on the monument of ice hockey history. “We don’t just want to be the first, we want to be countless.” Her words revealed determination and determination, “Let’s work together to pave a broader path for the future of female coaches in ice hockey.”