Jessica Campbell becomes NHL's first woman full-time coach: Kraken, Dan Bylsma make historic addition to staff

Campbell coached under Bylsma in the AHL before joining him in Seattle

By Erica Ayala Jul 3, 2024 at 3:17 pm ET• 3 min read

The Seattle Kraken have made NHL history by hiring Jessica Campbell to their coaching staff, making her the first woman to serve as a full-time coach in the NHL. 

The former Coachella Valley Firebirds assistant is used to making hockey history. During her rookie season (2014-15) with the Calgary Inferno, she served as a team captain for the first-ever CWHL All-Star Game. In 2022, she became the first woman to coach in the American Hockey League (AHL). And earlier this year, she became the first woman to coach behind a Seattle Kraken bench during preseason. 

"During our tenure in Coachella Valley, I saw firsthand Jessica's commitment to player development," Kraken coach Dan Bylsma said. "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."

Kartye, an undrafted forward, won the 2023 AHL Dudley "Red" Garett Award for most outstanding rookie during the 2022-23 season. He earned a spot on the Kraken this past season, tallying 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) in 77 games.