The Seattle Kraken made history this week by hiring Jessica Campbell as the first woman in NHL history to be a full-time assistant coach stationed behind a team's bench. Campbell, who previously worked as an assistant coach for Seattle’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley, joins head coach Dan Bylsma in this groundbreaking move.
Bylsma expressed confidence in Campbell's abilities, citing her strong relationships with players and her understanding of the game. Campbell's experience includes playing college hockey at Cornell, competing in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, and winning a gold medal in the Women's U18 World Championships in 2010.
After retiring from playing, Campbell founded the player development brand JC Powerskating. She made history as the first full-time female assistant coach in the AHL and had a brief stint as an assistant on the Kraken bench during a preseason game against Calgary.
Emily Engel-Natzke's hiring by the Washington Capitals in 2022 as a video coach also marked a significant milestone for women in the NHL, further highlighting the league's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The Kraken, who missed the playoffs last season, are gearing up for their upcoming season opener against the St. Louis Blues on October 8. Despite a challenging start as a new organization, the Kraken showed promise by qualifying for the playoffs in their second season.
