Kraken Tabs Campbell to Become First Woman Behind Bench as NHL Assistant Coach

Kraken Tabs Campbell to Become First Woman Behind Bench as NHL Assistant Coach
Newly named Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell runs a drill during a rookie-development camp in Seattle on July 2, 2024. Nick Wagner/The Seattle Times via AP
The Associated Press
Updated:
0:00

SEATTLE—Jessica Campbell will become the first woman to work behind the bench for an NHL franchise after the Seattle Kraken hired her as an assistant coach on Wednesday.

Campbell has spent the past two seasons working as an assistant coach for Seattle’s American League affiliate in Coachella Valley, Calif., alongside Firebirds Coach Dan Bylsma, who was hired in late May to take over the head job with the Kraken. There were immediate questions about whether Campbell would be making the move with Bylsma to Seattle.