Jessica Campbell Leaves Kraken: What Happened Next
When Jessica Campbell walked off the bench for the final time in April 2026, she left behind a record few expected a woman to hold. As the NHL’s first full-time female assistant coach, according to ESPN (leading sports network), her two-year tenure with the Seattle Kraken was a milestone. Now, with her departure, the question isn’t just about what happened – it’s about where she goes next, and what that means for the league’s coaching diversity.
Age: 34 (born June 24, 1992) · First female full-time NHL coach: Yes · Years with Seattle Kraken: 2 (2024–2026) · Instagram followers: 152K · Hometown: Moosomin, Saskatchewan
Quick snapshot
- First full-time female assistant coach in NHL history (ESPN)
- Departed Seattle Kraken on April 30, 2026 (NHL.com)
- Exploring other coaching roles in the NHL (The Athletic)
- Exact reason for leaving beyond pursuing other opportunities (NHL.com)
- Next coaching destination or job title (multiple sources) (NHL.com)
- Whether she will pursue a head coaching position (Yahoo Sports)
- 2024: Became first woman behind an NHL bench on opening night (Field Level Media)
- April 30, 2026: Kraken announce her departure (The Athletic)
- Potential head coaching opportunities in NHL or AHL (The Athletic)
- May return to player development or skating coaching (Russian Machine Never Breaks)
- Could break more barriers if she takes a head role (The Athletic)
Six key facts about Campbell distilled from verified sources:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jessica Eve Campbell (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)) |
| Born | June 24, 1992 (Wikipedia) |
| Birthplace | Moosomin, Saskatchewan (Wikipedia) |
| Playing Position | Forward (Elite Prospects (hockey statistics database)) |
| NHL Coaching Debut | 2024 (opening night) (ESPN) |
| NHL Tenure | 2 seasons (2024–2026) (NHL.com) |
What happened to Jessica Campbell?
Departure from Seattle Kraken
On April 30, 2026, the Seattle Kraken announced that Campbell would not return as an assistant coach for the 2026–27 season. NHL.com (official league site) published the news along with a statement that Campbell was leaving to “explore other coaching roles in the NHL.” ESPN confirmed the report, noting her contract had expired. The Athletic (player-focused sports journalism) added that Campbell was pursuing other NHL opportunities.
Her departure leaves the Kraken without the coach who helped develop their skating system, and it reduces the number of women on NHL coaching staffs to a handful.
Impact on NHL coaching diversity
Campbell’s exit means the NHL currently has only a few women in coaching roles. According to ESPN, before Campbell’s debut on opening night 2024, no woman had ever served as a full-time assistant behind an NHL bench. The league’s diversity pipeline remains narrow, and Campbell’s next move could either expand it or highlight its limits.
The implication: Campbell’s exit opens a leadership gap that no other female coach in the NHL has yet filled.
Why did Jessica Campbell leave the Kraken?
Statement from the team
The Kraken’s official statement, carried by NHL.com, framed the separation as mutual and professional: “Jessica has decided to explore other coaching roles in the NHL, and we support her in that pursuit.” No conflict or contract dispute was reported. The team thanked her for two years of service.
Campbell’s own words
In the same announcement, Campbell said she was “incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Kraken organization” and that she looked forward to “new challenges in the NHL.” While she did not specify a particular team or role, the language suggests she initiated the departure. ESPN reported that her contract was expiring, and no extension had been signed.
When a coach leaves without a firm next job lined up, it can signal either ambition or frustration. For Campbell, the ambiguity suggests she valued the search over security.
The pattern: Departures framed as “exploring other opportunities” often mask contract dynamics, but in Campbell’s case, the lack of a signed extension suggests she was ready for a bigger role.
Is Jessica Campbell the first female NHL coach?
Historic appointment
Yes, Campbell became the first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history when she joined the Seattle Kraken’s bench for the 2024–25 season. Field Level Media (sports news wire) reported she was the first woman to be behind an NHL bench on opening night. Before that, other women, such as Emily Engel-Natzke, had served in video coach or development roles, but none as a full-time assistant coach.
The landscape for women in NHL coaching
As of 2026, Campbell remains the only woman to have held a full-time assistant coach position. The NHL has had female goalie coaches and video coaches, but no woman has been named a head coach or associate coach. NHL.com noted that Campbell’s role was seen as a step forward, but her departure leaves the landscape unchanged.
Why this matters: The NHL has yet to appoint a female head coach, and Campbell’s next move could test whether a woman can break that ceiling.
What’s next for Campbell?
Potential head coaching opportunities
No announcement has been made about Campbell’s next role. The Athletic reported that she is “expected to pursue head coaching jobs” both in the NHL and the American Hockey League. Yahoo Sports (major sports news aggregator) pointed out that several teams have assistant coach openings, but a head coaching position would be historic.
Other roles in player development
Before becoming an assistant coach, Campbell worked as a skating coach with the Kraken. Russian Machine Never Breaks (NHL fan blog) speculated that she might return to a development role or join another team’s skating program if a head coaching offer does not materialize. Her background in skating technique makes her a valuable asset even outside the bench.
The trade-off: If Campbell lands a head coaching job in the NHL or a top minor league, it would be a historic first. If she coaches abroad or in development, it might reinforce the glass ceiling.
How long did Jessica Campbell coach the Kraken?
Two-year tenure
Campbell coached the Seattle Kraken for two full seasons: 2024–25 and 2025–26. NHL.com confirmed she was hired before the 2024–25 campaign and departed after the 2025–26 season ended. Field Level Media noted she was 33 years old at the time of her departure, making her one of the youngest assistant coaches in the league when hired.
Her role as assistant coach
According to Elite Prospects, Campbell specialized in working with forwards and the team’s skating system. Players praised her technical feedback and her ability to connect with younger skaters. Her impact was visible in the Kraken’s improved transition game during the 2024–26 period.
What to watch: Her two-year stint, while brief, matches the average tenure of NHL assistant coaches, so it’s not necessarily a setback.
Timeline of Campbell’s career
- : Born in Moosomin, Saskatchewan (Wikipedia)
- : Becomes first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history on opening night (Field Level Media)
- : Seattle Kraken announce Campbell will not return (The Athletic)
The timeline shows Campbell’s rapid transition from player to coach to historic NHL role.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- She was the first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history (Field Level Media)
- She left the Seattle Kraken on April 30, 2026 (The Athletic)
- She was born on June 24, 1992 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Her exact next coaching destination or role
- Whether she will pursue a head coaching position
- The specific reason for leaving beyond exploring other roles (NHL.com)
Voices on Campbell’s departure
“We thank Jessica for her contributions and support her decision to explore other coaching roles in the NHL. She has been a valuable member of our coaching staff.”
— Seattle Kraken official statement, via NHL.com
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Kraken organization and look forward to new challenges in the NHL.”
— Jessica Campbell, as reported by ESPN
For the NHL, the next step in Campbell’s career will be closely watched. If she secures a head coaching role, it will be a milestone. If not, the league may need to examine its diversity pipeline more carefully. For Campbell, the opportunity to shape her own legacy is clear: write the next chapter on her own terms.
Related reading: Jessica Campbell becomes first woman behind the bench on opening night · Jessica Campbell will not return as assistant coach with Seattle Kraken
Related coverage: departure from the Kraken fördjupar bilden av Jessica Campbell: What Happened to NHL’s First Female Coach.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jessica Campbell’s educational background?
She played NCAA hockey at Cornell University while studying. According to Wikipedia, she played for the Cornell Big Red from 2008 to 2012.
What teams did Jessica Campbell play for?
She played for Cornell University (NCAA), the Canadian national team at various levels, and professionally in Sweden’s Damettan league. (Wikipedia)
Is Jessica Campbell the only female assistant coach in NHL history?
She was the first full-time female assistant coach. Other women have held part-time or video coaching roles, but none had a full-time bench position before Campbell. (Wikipedia)
How old was Jessica Campbell when she became an NHL coach?
She was 32 years old when she debuted as an assistant coach in 2024. (Field Level Media)
What is Jessica Campbell’s Instagram handle?
Her public Instagram handle is @soupy08.
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