Jessica Campbell Is Changing the Game, and the Kraken Are Right There With Her
Jessica Campbell is in her second season as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken, and honestly, she's doing something nobody else in NHL history has done before. She became the first woman ever to work as an assistant coach behind the bench in the league when the Kraken brought her up from Coachella Valley, their AHL affiliate, before last season. Now, as the team fights to get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Campbell is proving she belongs in one of the toughest jobs in hockey.
The Kraken Are In It, And Campbell Knows What's At Stake
The Kraken are currently sitting at 32-29-11, just two points behind the Nashville Predators (34-31-9) for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. They've got Edmonton coming up at Rogers Place on Tuesday night, and every game matters right now. "That's been the goal all year, is to get back into the playoff run," Campbell told NHL.com. "It's a tough League. It's hard to win, and night to night everyone can beat everyone."
She gets it. Campbell knows what it feels like to be outside looking in, and she knows how different the energy is when you're actually in position to make a push. The team had a strong first half, but the Winter Olympic break threw everyone a curveball, and they've been grinding through the aftermath. "We're definitely excited to be in this position," she said, and you believe her.
Two Seasons In, Campbell Is Still Growing, And That's The Point
When you ask Campbell what she's learned jumping from the AHL to the NHL, you get the sense she's thinking about way more than just X's and O's. "My first year to this year, I've felt huge steps in myself and my growth, just getting used to the demands of the League and the schedule," she said. She watches the best players in the world do their thing every single day, and that's lifting her up constantly.
But here's what really matters: Campbell is tougher this year. She's still the positive communicator who listens and supports her players, but she's learned how to deliver tough messages when it counts. "I'm a lot tougher than maybe I used to be," Campbell said. "Just understanding the strength that comes with delivering positive messages or the tougher message and how that behavior and response changes in a good way."
More than that, Campbell knows she's building a blueprint for the next generation. "I didn't have a blueprint coming into this and now I'm hoping to lay some of that for others," she said. She's connecting with other female coaches, modeling leadership, and trying to make sure the path is clearer for whoever comes next. That's bigger than hockey.
The Kraken have five seasons of history and they're already knocking on the playoff door for the second time. Campbell's part of that story now, and she's just getting started.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.