NHL gets its first female coach — an assistant with the Seattle Kraken

Jessica Campbell became the first female coach in the NHL when the Seattle Kraken named her an assistant Wednesday, the league announced.

Jessica Campbell became the first female coach in the NHL when the Seattle Kraken named her an assistant Wednesday, the league announced.

Campbell, 31, joins Dan Bylsma, who was named the team's head coach on May 28, the NHL said. For the last two years, the pair worked together as coach and assistant for Seattle’s American Hockey League affiliate in Thousand Palms, California, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

The Firebirds named Campbell the first female full-time assistant coach in the AHL two years ago, on July 4, 2022, according to the NHL.

Jessica Campbell.Courtesy Seattle Kraken"During our tenure in Coachella Valley, I saw firsthand Jessica’s commitment to player development," Bylsma said, according to the NHL. "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 helped lead the Firebirds to the Calder Cup Final in their first season, 2022-23, and again this past season, according to the NHL.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/nhl-gets-first-female-coach-assistant-seattle-kraken-rcna160259

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