Jessica Campbell Makes History as First Full-Time Female Coach in the NHL with Seattle Kraken

Jessica Campbell has made a significant mark in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL) by becoming the first full-time female coach. Hired by the Seattle Kraken in July, Campbell was introduced as part of the team’s coaching staff during their home opener against the St. Louis Blues on October 8, 2024, to a cheering crowd.

Campbell’s appointment is a pivotal moment for gender equality in professional hockey. Despite the Kraken losing the game 3-2, her role as a full-time assistant coach highlights a path forward for women aiming to coach at the men’s professional level. Campbell brings extensive experience to her new role, having played in the NCAA, the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, and for Canada’s women’s national team. Her coaching career includes stints as an assistant coach for the U18 Canadian women’s national team, the Malmö Redhawks in Sweden, and the Nürnberg Ice Tigers in Germany. She was also the first female coach in the American Hockey League with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Campbell’s journey to the NHL was not something she had envisioned early in her career. She mentioned in a 2023 interview that she did not see this path as possible due to the lack of visibility and female role models in coaching. However, as more NHL players sought out her skating and skill development programs, she began to consider coaching in the NHL as a viable career option.

The NHL has been slow to integrate full-time women coaches compared to other major leagues like the NFL, MLB, and NBA. However, initiatives such as the NHL Coaches Association’s Female Coaches Development Program, launched in 2021, aim to support and normalize women coaching men’s hockey. This program provides leadership strategies, skill development, networking, and career opportunities to help expand the pool of available female coaching candidates.

Campbell’s role is part of a broader movement to increase women’s representation in coaching. Other women, such as Kim Weiss and Kori Cheverie, have also had opportunities to guest coach at NHL camps and pre-season games, contributing to the visibility and potential for more women in coaching roles in the future).