Kraken Hire Campbell in Historic Coaching Move

With the Firebirds, Campbell coached forwards and the power-play unit, helping the team reach the Calder Cup Final, where they lost to the Hershey Bears for the second consecutive season.

In May, the Kraken hired Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma to replace Dave Hakstol. Bylsma, who has previously coached the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, mentioned that Campbell was being considered for an NHL role.

"Jessica and [Firebirds assistant Stu Bickel] have been part of those conversations," Bylsma told ESPN.

The Kraken also hired Bob Woods, former Minnesota Wild assistant coach, to oversee defense and the penalty kill. This was necessary after Jay Leach left to join the Boston Bruins.

The Kraken had an active offseason, highlighted by missing the playoffs in 2023-24 after nearly advancing to the Western Conference finals in 2022-23. They addressed their needs by signing defenseman Brandon Montour and center Chandler Stephenson to long-term contracts.

The Kraken's roster includes veterans like Oliver Bjorkstrand, Andre Burakovsky, Vince Dunn, Jordan Eberle, Yanni Gourde, Jared McCann, and Jaden Schwartz, along with young talents like Matty Beniers, Ryker Evans, and Tye Kartye. Evans and Kartye previously worked with Campbell in the AHL, where the Firebirds' offense excelled under her guidance.

Campbell played four seasons at Cornell, where she captained her team in her senior year, and professionally in Canada and Sweden. She started coaching in 2017-18 and has since worked in Sweden, Germany, and with Germany's national team at the 2022 IIHF Men's World Championship.

"Jessica has an interesting background in skating and skill development," Kraken GM Ron Francis said. "Her work with Coachella Valley's power play and forwards, as well as her overall impact on player development, has been instrumental to their success."