Kraken Appoint Jessica Campbell as NHL’s First Female Assistant Coach

Campbell is making waves again in the hockey world.

At 32, she joined Seattle’s organization in 2022 as an assistant coach with the Coachella Valley Firebirds under Bylsma. She became the first woman behind the bench in the American Hockey League. Working together, Campbell and Bylsma led the Firebirds to two Calder Cup Finals, though they lost both times to the Hershey Bears.

During this past postseason, Kraken announced Bylsma as their new head coach in Seattle. Reports say he pushed for Campbell to join his NHL staff. “Jessica and I spent two years coaching in Coachella Valley,” Bylsma said on Tuesday. “I’m confident of what she can do for our staff and bring to the players.” He praised her ability to build strong relationships with prospects like Tye Kartye, Shane Wright, and Ryker Evans .

Campbell’s Coaching Journey

Before joining the Firebirds, Campbell earned respect as a skating and skills coach. Many NHL players sought her expertise during offseasons for power skating sessions. She worked with stars like Luke Schenn, Mat Barzal, and Brent Seabrook.

In 2020, she made her professional coaching debut with Malmö Redhawks in Sweden as a skating coach. The following year saw her move to Germany’s Nürnberg Ice Tigers of DEL as a skills coach before being promoted to assistant coach. In 2022, she was an assistant coach for Team Germany at the IIHF Men’s World Championship—the first woman ever to do so.

Fans might think it’s awesome seeing more women breaking barriers in sports!

Campbell also had an impressive playing career herself. She represented Canada at the 2009 and 2010 IIHF Women’s Under-18 World Championships—captaining her team to gold and earning MVP honors in 2010. In 2015, she won silver at Women’s Worlds and played four years at Cornell University before winning the Clarkson Cup with Calgary Inferno in CWHL.

The Kraken also confirmed that Dave Lowry will stay on as assistant coach while Steve Briere continues as goaltending coach next season.

What do you think about these changes?