In a groundbreaking move for professional hockey, the Seattle Kraken have hired Jessica Campbell as an assistant coach, making her the first woman to hold a full-time coaching position in NHL history. Campbell, 32, joins head coach Dan Bylsma’s staff alongside Bob Woods for the 2024-25 season.Campbell brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She previously served as an assistant coach for the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the American Hockey League (AHL), where she helped lead the team to back-to-back Calder Cup Final appearances. Her coaching resume also includes stints with Germany’s national men’s team and the Nurnberg Ice Tigers in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma praised Campbell’s abilities, saying, ‘Jessica has a unique skill set that encompasses her ability to build strong relationships with players and her skill in relating to them about their games’. Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis echoed this sentiment, stating, ‘This is an important day for our organization… We’re confident that both Bob and Jessica will make an immediate impact for our team’.Campbell’s appointment has been met with widespread approval from NHL fans and the broader hockey community, who are celebrating this historic step forward for women in coaching. Her hiring is seen as a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to increase diversity and inclusivity in professional sports.In other NHL news, the Detroit Red Wings have signed Russian forward Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract worth $4.75 million per year. Additionally, the Seattle Kraken have agreed to terms with defenseman Josh Mahura on a one-year, one-way contract worth $775,000.
Key points
- Jessica Campbell becomes the first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history, joining the Seattle Kraken.
- Campbell’s hiring is widely praised as a significant step forward for women in hockey coaching.
- Vladimir Tarasenko signs with the Detroit Red Wings, while Josh Mahura joins the Seattle Kraken.
