Jessica Campbell joined Settle Kraken as an assistant coach over the summer and sat on the bench for her first NHL game this week.
Jessica Campbell makes history
Seattle Kraken lost their first game of the season this week, but history was made on the bench with Jessica Campbell taking part in her first game in the league.
Campbell became the first woman to take the role of assistant coach in the NHL in a move set to lead the league into the future. “We definitely understand that the magnitude and importance of this moment is truly important to our game,” she said.
“I fuel me every day just knowing I’m part of something much bigger than myself.”
Despite the appearance of Campbell’s milestone, Seattle was unable to secure a victory over the Blues, who started the campaign 1-0-0 thanks to goals from Jordan Kirou and Philip Bloberg.
Campbell continues to talk about the future of women in the NHL, hoping that her role will increase the chances of women entering the league in coaching roles.
“Hopefully someone else will have to find a way to open the door for them and push it open and unlock it.
Jessica Campbell makes her official debut as the first female coach in NHL history 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sakrqflbob
– Ginohard (@ginohard_) October 8, 2024
“I see other women around me and other people in the industry doing great work doing their work. It’s part of the movement. I think it’s part of the change that really is part of the important thing.”
Currently, there are no other women on the coaching staff on the other NHL side, but Campbell is determined not to be the last of her gender to infiltrate the league.
Campbell is aiming to become the first female coach to win a game in the NHL this weekend, with Kraken facing the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
