Jessica Campbell to make history as first female NHL coach for Seattle Kraken on Tuesday vs St.Louis Blues

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Sam Walker
October 8, 2024 (12:50)

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Jessica Campbell to make history for the NHL, Kraken, on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues

Jessica Campbell is a powerful individual for women in hockey, and it shows with the tattoo on the back of her neck?

She has the word 'Ytimessa', which is linked back to the 2021-22 season when she coached the German Men's national team.

«It's flow, essentially. Your flow state,» she said, «These are all my coaching moments.»

Although Campbell does not plan to get another tattoo, she is ready to leave a mark on the hockey world this time with making NHL history as the first female coach to be behind an NHL bench on Tuesday, when the Seattle Kraken face the St.Louis Blues.

«The year ahead is going to be a lot of fun. But to know and to understand that obviously there's still at the forefront the thoughts of other women and other people who have the same aspirations as I do." «So, to carry that torch every day and keep my focus on being a coach, but it definitely puts meaning into the work.»

Dan Bylsma, who is a former Stanley Cup champion coach now with the Seattle Kraken, has mentored Campbell into her new role behind an NHL bench. Bylsma said the following about Campbell:

«Two years ago, she was a young coach. She had to grow and improve as a coach and I think our relationship has been that,» Bylsma said. «I probably challenged her a few times to do things differently or think about things differently. But at the same time, she's also, knowingly or not, challenged me as a coach to make sure I'm the coach I want to be.

«So, getting the opportunity in the NHL is because I believe in the skill and the attributes she brings to the individual players and that she can give them to them and help them become better in their own spot, in their own personal way and the team way.»

Seattle Kraken calder-winning forward, Matty Beniers, voiced his pleasure with having Campbell behind the bench, stating that she is 'the perfect fit':

«I think she's just another coach, someone who worked really hard to get to where they were,» he said. «Guys in Coachella all raved about her and said she was awesome; their power play was really good. They all had great things to say about her and I'm sure the organization and people hiring her went through the process and saw her qualifications. She's lived up to those expectations so far and when you come to the rink, she's just another coach.»

Who is Jessica Campbell?

A former pro player who retired in 2017, who spent four years at Cornell University and three years with the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women's hockey League from 2014 until her retirement in 2017. She is a gold-medal winning player with Team Canada, also has a 4 nations cup championship, silver medal, and another world championship ring underneath her belt- won in 2015.

Best of luck Jessica, and congrats to you on breaking the barrier!