In a groundbreaking move, the Seattle Kraken have appointed Jessica Campbell as an assistant coach, making her the first woman to hold such a position in NHL history. This marks Campbell's second historic milestone, as she became the first woman behind the bench in the AHL when she joined the Kraken's affiliate team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, as an assistant coach in 2022.

During her time with the Firebirds, Campbell played a pivotal role in coaching the team's forwards and power-play unit. Under her guidance, the Firebirds reached the Calder Cup Final, although they ultimately fell short to the Hershey Bears for the second consecutive season. Campbell's success caught the attention of the Kraken's management, leading to her promotion to the NHL level.

The Kraken's recent hire of head coach Dan Bylsma, a former coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, opened up discussions about Campbell's potential role within the NHL team. Bylsma expressed his support for Campbell, stating that her name had been brought up in conversations regarding the team's coaching staff.

Joining Campbell on the coaching staff is veteran assistant coach Bob Woods, who previously served with the Minnesota Wild for over six seasons. Woods will oversee the Kraken's defense and penalty kill, taking over from Jay Leach, who left to join the Boston Bruins.

The Kraken's decision to bring in Bylsma, Campbell, and Woods comes during an active offseason for the team. After narrowly missing out on reaching the Western Conference finals in the 2022-23 season, the Kraken failed to make the playoffs in 2023-24, finishing 17 points adrift of a wild-card spot.

To address their needs, the Kraken made significant signings on Monday, acquiring former Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour to a seven-year contract worth $7.142 million annually, as well as former Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson, who signed a seven-year deal worth $6.25 million per year.

Campbell's coaching abilities have already left their mark on the players she has worked with. In her first season with the Firebirds, she helped the team finish third in the AHL with 257 goals, while also making improvements to their power-play unit. In her second season, the Firebirds led the league with 252 goals, once again showcasing the impact of Campbell's coaching.

Troy Bodie, the Firebirds' director of business and hockey operations, praised Campbell for her dedication to player development. He highlighted her willingness to engage in meaningful conversations with players and her commitment to organizing optional skill sessions before practices, which saw high participation rates.

Campbell's journey to coaching started after a successful playing career at Cornell University. She played professionally in Canada and Sweden before venturing into coaching. Notably, Campbell served as an assistant coach and skills coach for the Nurnberg Ice Tigers in the Deutsche Eishockey League in Germany in the 2021-22 season. She also made history as the first woman on the coaching staff of a men's national team, assisting Germany at the 2022 IIHF Men's World Championship.

Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis commended Campbell for her diverse background, particularly her expertise in skill development and skating. He highlighted her instrumental role in the Firebirds' success and expressed confidence in her ability to contribute to the Kraken's growth.

With Campbell's appointment, the Kraken have broken barriers and set a new precedent for inclusivity in the NHL. As the league takes a historic step forward, Campbell's hiring represents a significant milestone for gender equality within the sport and opens doors for more opportunities for women in coaching roles.