Jessica Campbell’s NHL coaching gig marks a pivotal turning point for professional hockey

Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell looks up from the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 8, 2024 in Seattle.& (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) by Hayley Baker, Western University Jessica Campbell has made history as the first full-time female coach in the National Hockey League, marking a significant milestone in professional hockey. Campbell was hired by the Seattle Kraken in July, and during the team’s home opener against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 8, the crowd erupted into cheers when she was introduced as part of the team’s coaching staff. While the Kraken went on to lose to the Blues 3-2, the game was a pivotal turning point for gender equality and coaching in the NHL. Campbell’s appointment as a full-time assistant coach shows there’s a path forward for women who aim to coach at the men’s professional level. Campbell’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges women coaches face. However, it also demonstrates how achieving a coaching role in a professional league, though difficult, is not impossible. ‘I didn’t know it was possible’ Campbell brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role with the Kraken, from...