Historic Appointment: Jessica Campbell Joins Seattle Kraken Coaching Staff
In a groundbreaking move for the National Hockey League (NHL), Jessica Campbell has been appointed to the Seattle Kraken coaching staff, making her the first woman in the league's history to serve as a full-time coach.
Campbell's appointment to the Kraken is a testament to her impressive coaching career and dedication to player development. Before joining Seattle, Campbell served as an assistant coach with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where she managed the team’s power play and played a significant role in developing rookies like Tye Kartye. Kartye later went on to win the 2023 AHL Dudley "Red" Garrett Award for the most outstanding rookie, an achievement that underscores Campbell's impact on her players. Under her guidance, Kartye scored 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) over 77 games for the Kraken.
Kraken coach Dan Bylsma highlighted Campbell's commitment to player development and her ability to establish relationships with her players. “During our tenure in Coachella Valley, I saw firsthand Jessica's commitment to player development. Her ability to establish relationships with her players, specifically Tye Kartye, Shane Wright, and Ryker Evans, was an important factor in this hire. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with her at the NHL level,” Bylsma said.
Campbell's journey in coaching has been marked by several historic milestones. During the 2014-15 season, she served as team captain in the first-ever CWHL All-Star Game. In 2022, Campbell broke new ground by becoming the first woman to coach in the American Hockey League (AHL). That same year, she became the first woman to coach a men's national team during the 2022 IIHF Men's World Championship with Team Germany.
Her experience extends beyond the AHL and international competitions. In 2021, she held coaching roles with the Nurnberg Ice Tigers and worked as a power-skating coach for athletes, which included high-profile names like Natalie Spooner and Joel Edmundson. In the 2022 IIHF Men's World Championship, Campbell also collaborated with Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer, further solidifying her credentials as a versatile and effective coach.
Looking ahead to her responsibilities with the Kraken, Campbell will likely be tasked with heading the team's power play, a role in which she has already proved her expertise. Given her track record, her addition to the coaching staff is expected to bring significant benefits to the team's performance on the ice.
For Campbell, coaching is about maintaining a growth mindset and dedication to the job. “I just focused on the task at hand in coaching, but absolutely, it's obviously a tremendous opportunity and I'm honored to be where I am and to be -- it's a humbling feeling to be a part of the Kraken organization,” she expressed. Her approach to coaching emphasizes putting her head down and doing the work. “For me, that's what it's about. Just putting my head down and doing the work. You know, where it takes me it takes me, but I'm obviously honored to be on this path and continue to just do the good work that it takes to hopefully reach that goal,” she added.
Campbell's commitment to continuous improvement and her ability to foster strong relationships with her players are key attributes that have defined her career. “I'm a big believer in just keeping a growth mindset every day. Obviously, my goal is to continue to coach at the highest level, but timelines aren't necessary for me and definitely not where my focus is,” Campbell said.
As Jessica Campbell steps into her new role with the Seattle Kraken, she not only breaks barriers but also sets a new standard for what is possible in the world of professional hockey coaching. Her appointment marks a significant step forward for diversity and inclusion in the sport, promising exciting developments for the Kraken and the NHL as a whole.