BREAKING: The NHL Will Have Its First Female Coach Tonight
PUBLICATION
James Connelly
September 25, 2023 (4:44 PM)
In a groundbreaking moment, the Seattle Kraken will be led by AHL Assistant Coach Jessica Campbell in tonight's preseason matchup against the Calgary Flames. This marks the first time a female coach is taking charge of an NHL team during a game.
First Female NHL Coach, Jessica Campbell, To Debut Tonight
Jessica Campbell, currently the Assistant Coach for the Kraken's AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, steps into the spotlight as she coaches the Seattle team. This not only highlights her role as a female coach but also recognizes her as a highly respected coach.
#SeaKraken will welcome @Firebirds assistant coach, Jessica Campbell behind the bench tonight at @ClimateArena for the matchup against Calgary.
She is believed to be the first woman to coach an NHL game.
Campbell, at 31 years old, has been with the Kraken since 2022 when she became the Assistant Coach for the Firebirds. Her hockey journey started as a player in NCAA Hockey for Cornell before playing professionally with the CWHL's Calgary Inferno and later in the Swedish Women's League with Malmo.
Before joining the Kraken, Campbell had coaching experience, working as an Assistant Coach for the German men's club Nürnberg and as a skills coach for Malmo's men's team.
Notably, Campbell is not the only woman making waves in preseason coaching. The Pittsburgh Penguins recently had Kori Chevelie as a guest coach.
Jessica Campbell will lead the Kraken's split-squad team in Seattle, with the game starting at 8 p.m. PT/7 p.m. MT. This is one of two games tonight, with another game happening in Calgary just an hour earlier.
| POLL |
25 SEPTEMBRE | 16 ANSWERS BREAKING: The NHL Will Have Its First Female Coach Tonight Will Campbell ever become an NHL head coach? |
| Yes | 7 | 43.8 % |
| No | 9 | 56.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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