Canada's Jessica Campbell is AHL's first female assistant coach

Jessica Campbell is the first female assistant coach in the American Hockey League. As a result, she broke through the walls of women's professional hockey.

A 30-year-old woman from Rocanville, Saskatchewan was appointed as a coaching staff member at Coachella Valley Firebirds on Tuesday.

She joins head coach Danville Suma behind the bench during Seattle Kraken's AHL affiliate inauguration season.

Campbell's appointment takes place a few weeks after she became the first woman to coach at the Finnish Men's World Championships, where she was an assistant to Germany.

The New York Rangers announced last month that Campbell would be the guest coach for the summer development camp, but Kraken invited her to a more plum position.

"What was unique at all times was that Danbilsma was contacted shortly after everything was announced to talk about long-term opportunities within the Coachella and Kraken organizations," Campbell said. Told.

"My goal has always been to be professional and full-time."

Campbell will be in Seattle's development camp from Monday. Head and work with Kraken prospects who have been drafted or signed as free agents over the last two seasons.

Billsma, who coached the Pittsburgh Penguin to the Stanley Cup in 2009, said he asked Kraken's general manager Ron Francis what qualities he was looking for in his assistant coach.

"I wanted an up-and-coming coach," Bylsma said. "I wanted a coach with passion. It shows that they can work with the players. That's the coach I started looking for. Jessica's name appeared.

"Speaking with Jess in a few conversations, it's clear what she's done in the last three years at skate school, developing skills with NHL and professional players. She was an up-and-coming coach. ”

Campbell developed this past season in collaboration with USHL's Tri-City Storm and Windy City in Chicago. He led the Storm Girls' Hockey Program.

She Campbell was also invited to the skill coach of the Nuremberg Ice Tigers in the German Elite League (DEL). Her role was extended to an assistant coach on her arrival, who put her on the bench in the game.

"Things have escalated since I went to Germany and worked at DEL," Campbell said. "Players are my biggest supporter.

" That led to the opportunity to coach at the World Championships. Returning from the World Championships, I was excited about the prosides I was doing on the proside of the game. Thankfully, some people have noticed and acknowledged the job. "

The NHL team has recently been several in the role of scout, player staff, and management. Hired and promoted a woman in the world.

Toronto Maple Leafs (Hayley Wickenheiser), Chicago Blackhawks (Megan Hunter), Vancouver Canucks (Cammy Granato, Emily Castongeye) have placed these women in the role of Deputy General Manager. ..

But the woman hasn't stood behind the NHL bench coaching in the game yet. Campbell is a candidate to do so.

"I'm definitely working towards that goal," Campbell said. "I'm trying to get the right experience and learn from the best.

" It's a difficult task. You have to prepare and do, and you're in that position. I have to do a good job to be able to guide the highest level people in my life.

"It's important for me to visualize this, but at the same time my job is a top priority. Make sure it's a matter, coaching and doing the best you can. ”

Campbell won the silver medal at the 2015 World Championships in Malme, Sweden. Played in the Canadian Women's Hockey Team that won.

Forward also represented Canada in the 2009 and 2010 World Women's Championships under the age of 18. Campbell was the team's captain in 2010, and she scored Canada's overtime goal by defeating the United States 5-4 with a gold medal. ..

She spent three seasons in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (2014-17) in Calgary Inferno and won the Clarkson Cup in 2016. She beat Montreal 8-3 in the championship game, scoring two goals.

Campbell had just started her business as a power skating coach in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

Some NHL players in the Kelowna region of British Columbia, where she lived, turned to her for help prior to the Edmonton playoff bubble in August.

Luke Shen, Shea Weber, Andrew Ladd, and Brent Seabrook were one of Campbell's approximately 20 NHL players preparing for the playoffs.

"That's when I found out I could do this," Campbell said. "It's worth it here. Everyone appears in my work and they want me to run these skates. That's when I'm excited about the future I had at the game and professional level.

Campbell figure skated at CBC's "Battle of the Blade" in 2020, finishing second with partner Asher Hill.