Jessica Campbell

Early life and youth hockey in Saskatchewan

Jessica Campbell grew up in a hockey family in Melville, Saskatchewan, as the youngest of four children. Her mother, Monique Campbell, played hockey at the University of Saskatchewan, and her father and all three older siblings were also players, embedding the sport deeply in her upbringing. Campbell's early career was defined by leadership roles and provincial success within the Saskatchewan hockey system. She was a three-year member of Team Saskatchewan, serving as team captain twice, and represented the province at the National Women's Under-18 Championship in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Her 2007 and 2008 tournaments resulted in fifth-place finishes, while the 2009 event saw the team place seventh. At the club level, she won a Saskatchewan provincial gold medal with the Melville Millionaires in 2006 and led her Melville Prairie Fire and Millionaires teams in scoring during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. Campbell also competed in the prestigious Mac's Midget Tournament with the Melville Prairie Fire in 2007, gaining exposure against top national competition.

Her development continued with Hockey Canada's Pursuit of Excellence program, where she captained the team for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. A key achievement during this time was winning a silver medal at the Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament in 2009, where her performance earned her recognition as the tournament's top forward and most valuable player. During the 2009-10 season, she helped Pursuit of Excellence win the Junior Women's Hockey League (JWHL) Challenge Cup, finishing second in team scoring. Over 41 games with the program, Campbell compiled 57 goals and 47 assists for 104 total points, demonstrating the high-calibre offensive production that would define her future career. This period of intense competition and leadership development in Saskatchewan and with national programs laid a formidable foundation for her subsequent steps in collegiate and professional hockey.

NCAA career with the Cornell Big Red

Jessica Campbell played NCAA Division I hockey for the Cornell Big Red in the ECAC Hockey conference from the 2010-11 season through the 2013-14 season. She made an immediate impact in her freshman year, scoring a hat trick against the Robert Morris Colonials on October 23, 2010, with two of those goals coming on the power play. This performance earned her the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week award for the week of October 25, 2010. As a rookie, she appeared in 31 contests, registering 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points and an impressive plus-22 rating, establishing herself as a reliable two-way forward. Campbell contributed to the team's playoff run, notching a goal in the 2011 ECAC Hockey semifinal victory over the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Although an injury prevented her from playing in the ECAC Hockey championship game against Dartmouth, she returned to the lineup for the NCAA Frozen Four, where Cornell lost to the Boston University Terriers on March 18, 2011.

Over her four-year tenure with the Big Red, Campbell was a consistent contributor within one of the NCAA's top women's hockey programs. The structure and competition of the ECAC Hockey conference provided a critical platform for refining her skills against elite collegiate opponents. Her time at Cornell University balanced athletic rigour with academic pursuit, preparing her for the professional landscape both on and off the ice. The experience gained through numerous high-stakes conference and national tournament games built the competitive resilience she would later rely on in her professional playing and coaching careers. Her collegiate statistics and role on the team remain a matter of record through official NCAA and university archives, marking a successful chapter in her development as a player.

Professional playing career in the CWHL and Sweden

Upon concluding her NCAA career, Jessica Campbell played professionally in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) with the Calgary Inferno and had a stint in the Swedish Damettan with the Malmö Redhawks. In the CWHL, she quickly became a prominent figure, earning All-Star Game selections for both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. During the 2014-15 All-Star Game, she made history by serving as the captain for Team White, becoming the first rookie ever to be named an All-Star Game captain in the league. At the following season's All-Star Game, she scored the only goal for Team White in a 5-1 loss to Team Black. Beyond individual recognition, the pinnacle of her club career came in the 2015-16 season when she helped the Calgary Inferno capture their first-ever Clarkson Cup championship.

The 2016 Clarkson Cup final was contested at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, where the Inferno faced Les Canadiennes de Montréal. Campbell played a crucial role in the decisive 8-3 victory, scoring two goals to help secure the title for Calgary. This championship remains a landmark achievement for the Inferno franchise and a career highlight for Campbell. Her time in the CWHL was also marked by community engagement, notably when she organized a fundraiser in February 2016 for Do It For Daron (DIFD), a non-profit promoting youth mental health awareness. For the event, Calgary Inferno players wore purple jerseys, the official colour of DIFD, linking her on-ice performance to off-ice advocacy. Her professional experience abroad in Sweden with the Malmö Redhawks further broadened her understanding of different hockey cultures and styles of play, contributing to her well-rounded perspective as an athlete.

International career with Team Canada

Jessica Campbell represented Canada at both the under-18 and senior national team levels, achieving significant success on the international stage. Her first appearance for the national under-18 team was on March 24, 2010, in an exhibition game against the Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA) All-Stars, where she scored the opening goal for Canada in a 3-2 loss. The defining moment of her international playing career came at the 2010 IIHF Women's U18 World Championship in Chicago. Serving as team captain, Campbell led all tournament players in scoring and delivered in the most critical moment, scoring the overtime game-winning goal in the gold medal final against the United States. For her dominant performance throughout the tournament, she was named the Most Valuable Player by the tournament directorate and was selected as a top-three player for Canada by the coaches.

Following the gold medal victory, Campbell was featured on a hockey card in the Upper Deck 2010 World of Sportscard series, commemorating her achievement. She also participated in the Canada Celebrates event on June 30, 2010, in Edmonton, Alberta, which recognized Canadian Olympic and World champions from the 2009-10 ice hockey season. At the senior level, Campbell made her debut with the Canadian women's national team at the 2014 4 Nations Cup. She continued with the senior squad and won a silver medal at the 2015 IIHF Women's World Championship. Her international career, spanning from under-18 captain to senior team medalist, provided her with invaluable experience in high-pressure tournament environments and a deep understanding of high-performance team dynamics, which later informed her coaching methodology.

• 2009: Won a silver medal at the IIHF Women's U18 World Championship.
• March 24, 2010: Scored in her under-18 team debut versus OWHA All-Stars.
• 2010: Captained Canada to U18 World Championship gold, named tournament MVP and Top-3 Player for Canada.
• June 30, 2010: Honoured at Canada Celebrates event in Edmonton.
• 2014: Made senior national team debut at the 4 Nations Cup.
• 2015: Won a silver medal at the IIHF Women's World Championship.

Transition to coaching and pioneering roles in Europe and the AHL

After retiring from the Canadian national team in 2017, Jessica Campbell began her coaching career, initially working with high school girls' hockey teams. She soon launched her own coaching business, JC Powerskating, through which she provided specialized skills training to a wide range of clients. Her business attracted notable professional athletes, including NHL players Tyson Jost and Stanley Cup champion Joel Edmundson, as well as Canadian Olympic gold medalist Natalie Spooner. This work established her reputation as a skilled developer of skating and technical abilities, bridging the women's and men's games. Her first major breakthrough in professional team coaching came in 2021 when she was hired as an assistant coach for the Nürnberg Ice Tigers in Germany and, simultaneously, for the German men's national team at the IIHF World Championship. This appointment made her the first woman to serve as a coach at the men's world championship, a historic step for international hockey.

In July 2022, Campbell was hired as an assistant coach for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Seattle Kraken. This role made her the first woman to be employed on a full-time basis as a behind-the-bench coach in the AHL. Working under head coach Dan Bylsma, she helped the Firebirds achieve immediate success, reaching the Calder Cup Final in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Her responsibilities with the Firebirds involved detailed player development, systems implementation, and game preparation, proving her capabilities within a top-tier professional league. This two-year period in the AHL was critical, as it demonstrated her coaching acumen in a league directly connected to the NHL and built a strong professional partnership with Bylsma, setting the stage for her subsequent historic promotion.

Historic NHL appointment and tenure with the Seattle Kraken

On July 3, 2024, Jessica Campbell was hired as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken, making her the first female assistant coach in NHL history. This move reunited her with Dan Bylsma, who had been hired as the Kraken's head coach on May 28, 2024, after their two successful seasons together with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. In her role with the Kraken, Campbell was placed in charge of the forwards and the team's power play unit, key strategic areas for any NHL club. She made her regular season debut behind the NHL bench on October 8, 2024, during the Kraken's season opener. Her appointment was widely recognized as a landmark moment for diversity in professional sports coaching, drawing attention from across the hockey world and beyond.

The Kraken's 2024-25 season concluded with the team missing the playoffs, finishing with a record of 34 wins, 37 losses, and 11 overtime losses, 11 points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the final Western Conference wild card spot. Following the season, Dan Bylsma was fired as head coach on April 21, 2025. When the Kraken hired Lane Lambert as the new head coach on June 9, 2025, the organization announced that Campbell would remain on the coaching staff for the 2025-26 season. Her continued employment under a new head coach indicated the value the organization placed on her work. On April 30, 2026, the Kraken announced that Campbell would be leaving her position upon the expiration of her contract to explore other coaching opportunities across the NHL. General manager Jason Botterill stated the organization supported her decision and acknowledged her deep knowledge and unique ability to connect with and develop players during her four years with the Kraken organization.

In a March 2026 interview, Campbell reflected on her pioneering role, emphasizing that being first was never her focus. She noted the importance of her journey for others watching and expressed her belief that the growing number of women in coaching would benefit both the men's and women's sides of the game. She highlighted the tremendous growth in women's hockey and skyrocketing registration numbers for young girls, framing her own path as part of a larger, positive shift in the sport's landscape. Her departure from the Kraken was not an end but a transition, as she sought to continue her coaching career and influence elsewhere in the league.

Manager of player development with the New Jersey Devils

On September 16, 2026, Jessica Campbell was named the manager of player development for the New Jersey Devils, marking the next chapter in her professional hockey career. In this executive role, she is responsible for overseeing the holistic development of players within the Devils' system, focusing on skill progression, mental preparation, and professional integration. The position leverages her extensive experience as a skills coach, her understanding of player psychology from her own career, and her recent NHL coaching experience. This move signifies a shift from behind-the-bench coaching to a broader organizational development role, yet remains firmly within the hockey operations side of an NHL franchise. Her hiring by the Devils demonstrates the continued demand for her expertise and her respected status as a developer of talent at the highest level of the sport.

Campbell's approach to player development is informed by her unique journey through every level of the game, from Saskatchewan youth hockey to the NCAA, professional leagues, and the national team. Her work with JC Powerskating, where she trained individual NHL players, provides a strong foundation for the one-on-one mentorship aspects of her new role. Her experience designing and running hockey camps, such as a female high-performance camp scheduled for July 14-17, 2026, in Kelowna, reflects her commitment to structured, impactful training environments. The manager of player development role is critical for any NHL team aiming to build a sustainable pipeline of talent, and Campbell's appointment adds another historic layer as she brings her pioneering perspective to the Devils' organization.

Personal life, media, and advocacy

Beyond the rink, Jessica Campbell has engaged in television, media, and advocacy work that has expanded her public profile. In 2023, she participated as a contestant in the sixth season of the CBC reality competition series Battle of the Blades. On the show, she was paired with professional ice dancer Asher Hill, and the team performed weekly pair routines to raise money for their selected charity, the mental health advocacy organization Do It For Daron. Campbell and Hill advanced through the competition and finished as runners-up to the season's champions, Meagan Duhamel and former NHL player Wojtek Wolski. This experience connected her athleticism to performance art and amplified her support for mental health initiatives, a cause she had previously championed during her playing days with the Calgary Inferno.

Campbell has also served as a brand ambassador for Can-i Wellness oral spray supplements since 2023, aligning with a focus on athlete health and wellness. Her personal story and historic career path have been the subject of media profiles, including video montages and interviews that detail her journey from playing with boys in Saskatchewan to breaking barriers in the NHL. These features often highlight her role as an inspiration for young athletes, particularly girls, and her pragmatic perspective on being a trailblazer. She continues to be active in the hockey community through camps and clinics, using her platform to encourage participation and development. Her family background, with all members being hockey players, continues to be a source of support and connection to the grassroots of the game in Canada.

Career statistics, awards, and honours

Jessica Campbell's career is decorated with awards and honours that span international, collegiate, and professional play. Her international honours include a World U18 Championship gold medal and Most Valuable Player award in 2010, as well as a World Championship silver medal in 2015. At the collegiate level, she was named ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week in October 2010. Her professional achievements include being a CWHL All-Star Game selection and winning the Clarkson Cup championship in 2016. Her historic coaching milestones include becoming the first female assistant coach in NHL history with the Seattle Kraken in 2024.

In addition to these honours, Campbell's statistical achievements include leading the 2010 IIHF U18 World Championship in scoring, recording 104 points in 41 games with the Pursuit of Excellence in 2009-10, and scoring two goals in the 2016 Clarkson Cup final. Comprehensive career statistics for her NCAA, CWHL, and international play are documented through official sources such as Eliteprospects.com and hockey databases. These numbers, combined with her awards, quantify a career marked by high performance at every level before she transitioned to making history from the other side of the bench. Her career statistics from Cornell include 26 points in her freshman season and a plus-22 rating, while her professional totals in the CWHL contributed to her team's championship success.

Questions about Jessica Campbell

What is Jessica Campbell's current role in the NHL?

As of September 2026, Jessica Campbell is the manager of player development for the New Jersey Devils. She assumed this role after her contract as an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken expired, and she chose to explore new opportunities within the league. In this position, she is responsible for overseeing the growth and skill development of players within the Devils' system. Her hiring continues her groundbreaking career in NHL player development and coaching, moving from a behind-the-bench role to a broader organizational development position.

How did Jessica Campbell make NHL history?

Jessica Campbell made NHL history on July 3, 2024, when she was hired as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken, becoming the first female assistant coach in league history. She made her regular season debut behind the Kraken bench on October 8, 2024, where her duties included managing the forwards and the power play. This appointment followed her earlier milestone in 2022 as the first woman to serve as a full-time assistant coach in the American Hockey League with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Her hiring marked a significant step forward for gender diversity in professional hockey coaching.

What did Jessica Campbell achieve as a player for Team Canada?

As a player for Team Canada, Jessica Campbell's most celebrated achievement was captaining the national under-18 team to a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF Women's U18 World Championship in Chicago. She led the tournament in scoring and scored the overtime game-winning goal in the gold medal game against the United States, for which she was named tournament MVP. At the senior level, she made her debut at the 2014 4 Nations Cup and won a silver medal at the 2015 IIHF Women's World Championship. Her international career was defined by leadership and clutch performance from a young age.

Which professional team did Jessica Campbell win a championship with?

Jessica Campbell won a professional championship with the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women's Hockey League in 2016. The Inferno captured their first-ever Clarkson Cup with an 8-3 victory over Les Canadiennes de Montréal at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Campbell was a key contributor in the final, scoring two goals to help secure the victory. This championship was the pinnacle of her club playing career, which also included two CWHL All-Star Game selections during her time with the Inferno.

What was Jessica Campbell's role before joining the Seattle Kraken?

Before joining the Seattle Kraken's NHL staff, Jessica Campbell was an assistant coach for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken's AHL affiliate, starting in July 2022. In that role, she worked under head coach Dan Bylsma and helped the Firebirds reach the Calder Cup Final in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Her success in the AHL and her established working relationship with Bylsma were key factors in her promotion to the Kraken when Bylsma became the NHL head coach in 2024. Prior to her AHL role, she gained experience as an assistant coach for the German men's national team at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.

Has Jessica Campbell been involved in any television or charity work?

Yes, Jessica Campbell has participated in television and charity initiatives. In 2023, she was a contestant on the sixth season of the CBC show Battle of the Blades, paired with ice dancer Asher Hill. The team skated to raise money and awareness for the youth mental health charity Do It For Daron and finished as runners-up in the competition. Campbell has also been a brand ambassador for Can-i Wellness supplements since 2023. Her advocacy for mental health aligns with her earlier fundraising efforts while playing for the Calgary Inferno, where she organized a charity game featuring purple jerseys for Do It For Daron.

Sources and further reading

• Jessica Campbell (Wikipedia)
• Campbell leaves Kraken to explore other coaching roles in ... (nhl.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-27.