In a groundbreaking move, the Seattle Kraken have appointed Jessica Campbell as an assistant coach, making her the first woman in NHL history to hold such a position. Campbell joins the Kraken after serving as an assistant under head coach Dan Bylsma for the team's AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley over the past two seasons.

Bylsma expressed his admiration for Campbell's dedication to player development and her ability to form strong relationships with her players. He emphasized how these factors played a significant role in her hiring as an assistant coach at the NHL level.

Campbell's historic moment came on September 26, 2023, when she joined Bylsma behind the bench for the Kraken's split-squad preseason game against the Calgary Flames. She followed in the footsteps of Kori Cheverie, who had recently served as a guest coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Notably, Campbell had previously been named the first woman full-time assistant coach in the AHL by Coachella Valley on July 4, 2022. Kraken general manager Ron Francis emphasized that Campbell's selection was based on her coaching abilities and experience rather than her gender.

During her tenure with the Seattle Kraken's AHL affiliate, Campbell played an instrumental role in helping the team reach the Calder Cup Final in its inaugural season and again in the following season. She also gained valuable experience coaching at the 2022 IIHF World Championship as an assistant for Team Germany, a team that included Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer.

Campbell's hockey journey began in her hometown of Rocanville, Saskatchewan, where she played against boys as girls' hockey was not available. She went on to have a successful career as a forward at Cornell University and played professionally in the Canadian Women's Hockey League and the Swedish Women's Hockey League. Additionally, she represented Canada and won a silver medal at the 2015 IIHF Women's World Championship.

After retiring as a player, Campbell transitioned into coaching, working as a skating and skills coach. She gained coaching experience with teams such as Malmo in Sweden, Tri-City in the United States Hockey League, and Nurnberg in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in Germany. Campbell's coaching abilities were further highlighted when she trained a group of NHL veterans in Kelowna, British Columbia, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Seattle Kraken also announced the appointment of Bob Woods as an assistant coach alongside Campbell, demonstrating their commitment to strengthening and diversifying their coaching staff. Kraken general manager Ron Francis expressed confidence that both Campbell and Woods would have an immediate impact on the team.

The hiring of Campbell and Woods comes after the Kraken fired coach Dave Hakstol on April 29 following a disappointing season. The team failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing sixth in the Pacific Division. Bylsma, who will serve as head coach for the Kraken, brings a wealth of NHL coaching experience, including guiding the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup victory in 2009.

With this historic appointment, Campbell's groundbreaking achievement paves the way for more opportunities for women coaches in the NHL. Her passion, dedication, and undeniable talent have broken barriers and set a new precedent in the sport.