Jessica Campbell admits shedding ‘happy tears’ after becoming NHL’s first female assistant coach | NHL News

When Jessica Campbell received the life-changing call that she had been named assistant coach of the Seattle Kraken, she immediately broke down in tears of joy. The former player has loved hockey her whole life. She started as a player in Canada before pivoting to coaching. Her hiring in July made history, as she became the first female full-time assistant coach behind an NHL bench. The moment was deeply emotional for Campbell, who had spent years working toward this opportunity.

The grind of the AHL and the transition to the NHL

Campbell’s milestone moment wasn’t lost on her—or the fans. She received a loud ovation when she was introduced at Climate Pledge Arena during the Kraken’s season opener against the St. Louis Blues.
“It was a surreal moment because I had been working toward this for so long,” she shared her feelings. “But when I called home, I just immediately started crying—happy tears. My parents thought something was wrong and instantly went into parent-protect mode, asking, ‘Are you okay?’ Of course, I was okay, and pretty quickly, we were all crying.”
Before leaping to the NHL, Campbell worked in the AHL, where the demands of the job took a toll on her. “In this league, that’s a good thing, but it’s also taxing—physically, emotionally, and mentally,” Campbell said. “I never had much time to go home and see my family. Those windows were really small, and you learn to cherish the moments you do get.”
Her transition from the AHL to the NHL happened almost overnight. “When I got the news, I was in Seattle at development camp, fully in my AHL role. Then, overnight, I went from being an AHL coach to an NHL coach,” she added.
Also read: “Have to go the longer route”: First and only female NHL coach Jessica Campbell talks about her journey
The journey hasn’t been easy, but Campbell’s historic rise is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and passion for the game. While she acknowledges the weight of her achievement, Campbell remains focused on the future. Fans expect that she has more such history-making and record-breaking achievements coming her way.