Seattle Kraken coach makes NHL history

The Seattle Kraken opened their 2024-25 season by naming a new captain in Jordan Eberle, but they also made history when the puck hit the ice. When the Kraken played their first game of the season, assistant coach Jessica Campbell became the first woman to ever coach an NHL game.

When the Kraken organization promoted Dan Bylsma from the American Hockey League to the NHL, he made sure to bring Campbell with him.

Campbell, 32, spent the last two seasons with Bylsma with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where they reached the Calder Cup final each year.

Before beginning her coaching career, Campbell played four years of college hockey with the Cornell Big Red and another three years with the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL. In four years at Cornell, she recorded 100 points in 131 games.

Campbell has represented Canada on numerous occasions and has won several medals on the international stage. She and Team Canada won a silver medal at the 2015 Women's World Championships.

The Kraken are confident they can return to the postseason in the 2024-25 season. After missing the 2023-24 season, Seattle is looking not only for Bylsma, but also for the history-making Campbell as its new coach.

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