Remember me
After two seasons with the Seattle Kraken, in which she became the NHL’s first-ever full-time female coach, Jessica Campbell is moving on.
The Kraken announced on Friday that Campbell’s contract was ending and that she wanted to explore other opportunities outside the organization.
“Jessica has been an important member of our coaching staff for the past four years, demonstrating deep knowledge, and a unique ability to connect with and develop players,” Kraken general manager Jason Botterill said in a statement. “We respect her decision and believe strongly in her as a coach in this league.”
Campbell joined the Kraken organization in 2022 as an assistant coach for the Coachella Valley Firebirds — Seattle’s American Hockey League affiliate — where she became the first female full-time coach in the AHL. Two seasons later, Campbell was promoted to the big league club.
Per ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, Campbell has received NHL interest from other teams across the league. Botterill even mentioned her wanting to pursue other coaching roles.
Kaplan also stated the Kraken have left the door open for Campbell to return to the team in the future if she wants.
The Los Angeles Kings have already fired their coach, and the Toronto Maple Leafs (Craig Berube), Edmonton Oilers (Kris Knoblauch), New York Islanders (Patrick Roy), and New Jersey Devils (Sheldon Keefe) could potentially fire their head coaches.
Campbell could be a fit on a new staff for any of those teams, as well as the St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets — both of which currently have openings for assistant coaches.
Campbell’s coaching resume is quite impressive for a coach so early into her career. She helped lead Coachella Valley to consecutive Calder Cup Finals, and she’s also worked with NHL veterans like Tyson Jost and Stanley Cup champion Joel Edmundson, plus Olympian Natalie Spooner, who won gold with Team USA back in February.
In addition to the NHL and AHL, Campbell also has international coaching experience. Before joining Coachella Valley, she was an assistant with the Nurnberg Ice Tigers in Germany, and she also was an assistant for Germany’s men’s national team at the world championship as well.
Campbell coached the Firebirds’ powerplay and worked closely with the forwards. She was applauded for the work she did with undrafted free agent Tye Kartye, who she helped turn into the AHL Rookie of the Year in 2023. Kartye currently plays left wing for the New York Rangers.