The Seattle Kraken’s decision to appoint Jessica Campbell as the NHL’s first female assistant coach has been put on hold due to ongoing irregularities.
Campbell was initially hired as an assistant coach for the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where she made history as the first woman behind the bench in the AHL ¹.
Jessica Campbell has an impressive background in both playing and coaching hockey. She played 10 years of high-level hockey, starring at Cornell and later playing for the Calgary Inferno in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL). Campbell also represented Canada’s national team, winning three medals, including a gold medal at the 2010 World Championships ².
In 2017, Campbell retired from playing and transitioned into coaching. She worked as an assistant coach for the Pursuit of Excellence hockey academy and later became a skating coach in Sweden. In 2022, Campbell was hired by the Firebirds as an assistant coach, making her the first woman to hold a full-time assistant coach position in the AHL ².
Despite her impressive credentials, the Kraken’s decision to promote Campbell to the NHL level has been put on hold due to ongoing irregularities. The team has not disclosed the specific nature of these irregularities, but it is clear that they are taking the situation seriously.
The Kraken’s decision to hire Campbell was seen as a significant step forward for women in hockey. She was set to become the first female assistant coach in NHL history, breaking a barrier for women in the league. However, with her appointment now on hold, it remains to be seen when or if she will join the Kraken’s coaching staff.
The irregularities surrounding Campbell’s appointment are a reminder that the NHL still has work to do in terms of creating opportunities for women in hockey. While the league has made progress in recent years, there is still a long way to go in terms of representation and inclusion. The Kraken’s decision to hire Campbell was a step in the right direction, but it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that women have equal opportunities in the league.
