Jessica Campbell is making history.
Jessica Campbell was the assistant coach of Toni Söderholm’s Germany at the World Cup. PDO
- Jessica Campbell becomes the first female coach in history in the AHL.
- He worked as Toni Söderholm’s assistant coach at the World Championships.
Seattle Kraken’s AHL club Coachella Valley Firebirds has hired as an assistant coach by Jessica CampbellKraken informs.
Campbell, 30, is making history at the same time, as she becomes the first female coach in history in the AHL.
The process started when Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma sent an email to Cambpell about a possible coaching role.
Less than two weeks ago, he called Campbell.
– We talked about coaching, he asked about my approach. He had clearly done background research, contacted people who were at the World Cup and players I have coached, Campbell said on the Kraken website.
Bylsma had received rave reviews during his background investigation.
After the call, he was impressed.
– I wanted a person in the coaching group who has a lot of passion for the players, a desire to work with them and a plan to help them develop, because our job is to develop players for the Seattle Kraken. “Jessica showed it best,” Bylsma said for ESPN.
– Jessica’s strength is her ability to develop players, she understands every aspect of the game and knows what it takes to be successful on and off the ice.
Last season, Campbell worked as an assistant coach in the Nürnberg Ice Tigers of the German premier league DEL. He was also a part Toni Söderholm coaching group in May at the World Championships.
– There was a moment when I realized that I was coaching NHL players and we were competing against NHL players. My words were welcomed and I was respected. I realized I could do this, Campbell told ESPN.
This summer has seen a few other nominations that break the glass ceiling. Cammi Granato and Emilie Castonguay was named assistant GM of the Vancouver Canucks. Meghan Hunter in turn was appointed assistant GM of the Chicago Blackhawks.
On Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that Hayley Wickenheiser, considered one of the best women’s hockey players of all time, will be promoted to the position of assistant GM.
The story continues after the picture.
Jessica Campbell has received praise for her teaching style and communication skills. PDO
“I never focused on my gender”
Campbell played hockey until the age of 17 in boys’ teams. He said that he never focused on his gender, but considered himself an equal and equally capable player.
Back then, he didn’t dream of coaching because he didn’t know what that path would be like.
– But for young athletes, visibility is important so that they understand that they can be whatever they want. The daughters of some of the players I’ve coached see that they have a female coach. It opens up a conversation that can inspire young girls to do something they never thought possible, Campbell said.
During his playing career, Campbell played, among other things, in the Canadian national team.
In the beginning, he focused on skill coaching and power skating coaching. Suddenly, he was pulling workouts through his company for about 20 NHL players, including the New York Islanders speedster To Matt Barzal. He founded his company after the corona pandemic started and helped NHL players get in shape for the 2020 bubble playoffs.
Campbell will also participate in Kraken’s youth player development camp. He works there as an assistant coach.