Jessica Campbell will leave the Seattle Kraken as her contract expires to explore other coaching opportunities within the NHL [1], [2].
Campbell's departure marks a significant transition for one of the most prominent women in professional hockey coaching. As the first woman to serve as a full-time assistant coach in the history of the league [2], her movement within the NHL could signal a shift in how teams recruit and promote leadership personnel.
Campbell, who hails from Rocanville, Saskatchewan, spent two seasons with the Seattle Kraken [2], [5]. She will not return to the Kraken bench for the 2026-27 season [3]. The announcement regarding her departure was made on Thursday [3].
While the primary reason for her exit is the expiration of her contract, reports vary on her next steps. Some sources said she is simply exploring other NHL coaching opportunities [1]. Other reports said that interest from various NHL clubs could lead to a head-coaching role [7].
Throughout her tenure in Seattle, Campbell broke a longstanding gender barrier in the league's coaching ranks. Her experience over the last two seasons [5] has positioned her as a candidate for higher-level roles across the league. The Kraken have not yet named a replacement for her position on the coaching staff.
Campbell's trajectory from Saskatchewan to the NHL bench has served as a blueprint for female coaches aspiring to reach the professional level. Her departure from Seattle occurs as the league continues to navigate the integration of diverse coaching perspectives in a traditionally conservative environment.
“Jessica Campbell was the first woman to be a full-time assistant coach in NHL history.”
Campbell's move represents a pivotal moment for gender integration in the NHL. If she secures a head-coaching position, it would break another historic barrier, moving a woman from an assistant role to the primary decision-maker of an NHL bench for the first time.
