Jessica Campbell Proud to Be NHL's First Female Assistant Coach

Growing up in the heart of the Prairies, Jessica Campbell was embedded in a family where hockey runs deep. Her mother, father, and three siblings all played the game at various levels, from outdoor rinks to collegiate and junior leagues.

Campbell, 32, has made history by being hired as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken, becoming the first woman to hold an on-the-bench role as an assistant or associate coach in the NHL.

"It's obviously really special being in this position. I'm extremely excited," said Campbell from her hometown of Rocanville, Sask. "I feel very fortunate to carry the torch behind the bench. I've always focused on the work, and the meaning behind it is that much more special knowing more opportunities could come for others as a result."

From Player to Coach

Campbell's family has a deep hockey legacy. Her father, Gary, played hockey, while her mother and sister, Monique and Gina, played for the University of Saskatchewan. Her brothers, Dion and Josh, also played, with Josh tragically passing away in a vehicle crash when Campbell was ten.

Jessica adopted her brother's jersey, No. 8, and dominated boys' leagues, always aiming for the NHL. "I was raised in a locker room with boys and never thought anything different," she said, crediting her minor-league coach Leo Parker for instilling a belief that she could achieve anything.

Campbell became a decorated player at Cornell University, in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, and with Canada's women's national team, winning silver at the 2015 world championship. After hanging up her skates in 2017, she launched her coaching company, JC Powerskating, which became pivotal in her career, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Breaking Barriers

Highly regarded as a skating coach, Campbell joined the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds in 2022 as the league's first female full-time assistant coach. "She approaches it with confidence, commitment, and passion," said Doug Derraugh, who coached Campbell at Cornell and on the Canadian national team. "Gender is going to become irrelevant and it's just, 'Who's the best person for the job?'"

Campbell briefly worked as an assistant coach for Germany during the 2022 IIHF World Championships and had a one-game stint with the Kraken during a pre-season game. Head coach Dan Bylsma praised her work in developing key players like Ryker Evans, Shane Wright, and Tye Kartye, leading to her hiring by Seattle.

Campbell attributes her success to her understanding of the game's universal language and a love for the sport. "A coach is meant to serve and guide the player," she said. "I want to help them unlock every potential they have yet to tap into."

As the NHL's first female assistant coach, Campbell hopes to open doors for the next generation of athletes, encouraging them to dream big and overcome self-imposed barriers. "I never picked this myself, but I believed I could do hard things," she said. "Surround yourself with good people and keep your dreams as big as possible."

### Watch Campbell's Full Interview:

*Jessica Campbell feels �very fortunate to carry the torch' for women behind an NHL bench.*

### Campbell's Journey from Saskatchewan to the NHL:

*Jessica Campbell's journey from Sask. to the NHL.*