Kraken Hire Jessica Campbell As Assistant Coach Making Her The First Woman To Be Behind The Bench In NHL History

The Seattle Kraken have promoted Jessica Campbell from Assistant Coach of the Coachella Valley Firebirds to Assistant Coach of the Kraken.

Campbell will be the first woman to work behind the bench of a team in NHL history. In 2022 the Kraken hired her to serve as an assistant coach for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where she became the first woman behind a bench in the AHL.

"This is an important day for our organization," GM Ron Francis said. "We’re bringing in valuable coaching experience to our staff and are confident that both Bob and Jessica will make an immediate impact for our team."

Her role with the Firebirds was to work with the forwards and the power play unit. No team scored more goals than the Firebirds in the 2023-24 campaign and their power play clicked at 18.4%.

The Kraken have also hired former Minnesota Wild assistant coach Bob Woods who will run the penalty kill and defence.

Alongside bringing in Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson in free agency, the Kraken will have a major impact from their Firebirds graduates. Ryker Evans, Shane Wright and Tye Kartye are all expected to play more with the big club this year and the familiarity of previously working with Dan Bylsma and Campbell will help the transition go smoothly.

"During our tenure in Coachella Valley, I saw firsthand Jessica's commitment to player development," Bylsma said. "Her ability to establish relationships with her players, specifically Tye Kartye, Shane Wright and Ryker Evans, was an important factor in this hire. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with her at the NHL level."

Campbell is still just 32 years old but has gained a lot of experience quickly and has built trust and positive relationships with her players.

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