HISTORY is being made in the world of professional ice hockey.
Seattle Kraken assistant coach, Jessica Campbell, is the first female to coach from the bench in NHL history.
She was hired in July 2024 after having previously coached in the AHL for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and the team reached the Calder Cup final in both seasons of her tenure.
Campbell started her coaching career at a high school for a girls’ team, which then led to her starting her own coaching company – JC Powerskating.
Her clientele included Olympic gold medallist Natalie Spooner and Stanley Cup winner Joel Edmundson.
The Canadian was a professional player herself, playing for teams in Malmö and Calgary, as well as the Canadian National Team.
The Washington Capitals also appointed a female coach to their team when they promoted Emily Engel-Natzke to NHL video co-ordinator in 2022, which made her the first full-time female coach in franchise history.
Despite general online negativity from certain groups of NHL fans, Campbell has been granted icon status with her tactical and skill knowledge that has earned her respect from not just Kraken supporters. Oh, and her proficiency in walking across the ice in heels is just damn cool.
In acknowledgement, Campbell was invited to drop the puck for the first ever Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) game in Seattle.
The PWHL is in just its second ever season and expanded this year to a 30-game season following the rapid success of their inaugural year.
Teams set up preparations before the start of this season to play some of their scheduled games in bigger venues due to high-demand for tickets.
The PWHL and its sponsors quickly received praise for its inclusivity and forward thinking.
Molson made a simple but smart move:
Sport is sport. Coaches are coaches. Players are players.
Sticks are sticks and skates are skates.
Hockey is hockey.
