The Seattle Kraken recently made history by hiring Jessica Campbell as an assistant coach, marking the first time a woman has filled this role in the NHL. Campbell’s groundbreaking appointment comes on the heels of her previous history-making job as an assistant coach for the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. During her time with the Firebirds, Campbell coached the team’s forwards and power-play unit, contributing to their success in reaching the Calder Cup Final, despite falling short in a defeat to the Hershey Bears for the second consecutive season. In May, the Kraken hired Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma to take over for Dave Hakstol, who was let go after three seasons. Bylsma mentioned that Campbell’s name was under consideration for a similar role at the NHL level, emphasizing ongoing discussions about the team’s coaching staff and player needs.
In addition to the historic hiring of Jessica Campbell, the Kraken also brought on Bob Woods, a former longtime assistant coach for the Minnesota Wild. Woods’ expertise will be vital in overseeing the team’s defense and penalty kill, following Jay Leach’s departure to join the Boston Bruins. Woods’ six-plus seasons with the Wild saw him implement a successful defensive structure that ranked 13th in goals allowed per game before his dismissal alongside head coach Dean Evason last November. The addition of Bylsma, Campbell, and Woods reflects a busy offseason for the Kraken, aiming to address their shortcomings from the previous season, where they narrowly missed the playoffs after a strong showing in 2022-23.
To bolster their roster and address key needs, the Kraken made significant moves by signing defenseman Brandon Montour to a seven-year contract and center Chandler Stephenson to a similar deal. These signings add to the team’s core of veterans like Oliver Bjorkstrand, Andre Burakovsky, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, Yanni Gourde, Jared McCann, and Jaden Schwartz, along with promising young talents like Matty Beniers, Ryker Evans, and Tye Kartye. Both Evans and Kartye had the opportunity to work with Campbell during her tenure in the AHL, where her impact on player development and team performance was evident. Campbell’s coaching philosophy, characterized by meaningful player interactions and focused skill development, has resonated positively with both players and management.
Jessica Campbell’s journey to becoming the first woman assistant coach in the NHL is marked by a diverse and impactful coaching background. Starting as an assistant coach at the Pursuit of Excellence hockey academy, Campbell continued to hone her skills as a skating coach in Sweden before transitioning to coaching roles in professional leagues in Germany and Canada. Her experience as an assistant for the German national team at the 2022 IIHF Men’s World Championship further exemplifies her commitment to advancing in the hockey coaching world. Campbell’s background in skill development and player engagement, along with her on-ice experience as a former player, has positioned her as a valuable asset to the Kraken’s coaching staff.
Jessica Campbell’s historic hire as an NHL assistant coach not only breaks barriers but also signifies a significant step forward in promoting diversity and inclusivity in professional hockey. Her unique coaching approach, coupled with a proven track record of player development and team success, is expected to make a positive impact on the Seattle Kraken’s performance in the upcoming seasons. As the hockey world celebrates this milestone, Campbell’s groundbreaking achievement paves the way for more opportunities for women in coaching roles across the NHL and beyond.
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