In the long history of ice hockey, Jessica Campbell’s name is destined to leave an indelible mark. On Wednesday, this talented coach was officially appointed as the assistant coach of the Seattle Kraken team, not only opening a new chapter in her personal career, but also marking another milestone in the North American Professional Hockey League (NHL) – she became the first female coach to hold a coaching position at the NHL.
“This is undoubtedly an honor, but for me, what is more important is the job itself and the positive impact I can bring.” Campbell humbly stated in an interview, “Being the ‘first’ is certainly exciting, but I would rather see more women join this ranks and work together to promote the development of ice hockey.”
Campbell’s coaching journey was not smooth sailing, but full of perseverance and love. Since joining Kraken two years ago as an assistant coach for its AHL affiliate team Kochella Valley, she has quickly emerged in the industry with outstanding leadership and a deep understanding of ice hockey. As the first female coach of AHL, she not only demonstrated the potential of women in ice hockey coaching positions, but also set an example for later generations.
Her efforts and talents have been widely recognized, especially her mentor Dan Bielsma. This experienced coach witnessed firsthand how Campbell helped young players grow, including potential newcomers such as Tae Cartier, Shaun Wright, and Rick Evans, during his tenure as head coach of the Kochella Valley. It is these successful cases that have given Bielsma confidence in Campbell’s coaching ability and recommended her to join Kraken’s coaching team.
“Jessica has extraordinary insight and a unique approach to cultivating young players,” Billsma praised endlessly. “I believe she will play an important role in Kraken’s forward line, injecting new vitality into the team.”
In addition to Bielsma’s strong support, Seattle General Manager Ron Francis also has high hopes for Campbell. He had noticed this talented woman as early as Campbell’s tenure as assistant coach for the German men’s national team and personally invited her to join Kraken’s family. “Jessica’s profound understanding of the game and her unique insights into player development have left a deep impression on me,” Francis said. “I believe her joining will bring a new perspective and motivation to our team.”
Campbell’s coaching journey was not accidental, but the result of her years of hard work and perseverance. After spending four seasons in NCAA ice hockey at Cornell University, she switched to professional sports and accumulated rich gaming experience in Canada and Sweden. Subsequently, she transformed into a skating and skills coach, providing guidance to numerous NHL players. It was this experience that gave her a deeper understanding and love for ice hockey, and also sparked her thoughts on coaching.
“I have always believed that anything is possible,” Campbell said firmly. “Even if the future is unknown, I have the courage to believe that I can do it. It is this belief that has supported me to where I am today.”
Campbell is full of expectations for the future. She hopes to continue to shine and contribute to the team on Kraken’s coaching bench. At the same time, she also hopes that her experience can inspire more women to participate in ice hockey, injecting more vitality and diversity into this sport. “I hope all children, whether boys or girls, can see what their future may be like on the NHL field,” Campbell said with great anticipation. “I am delighted to play such a role and depict such a future for them.”