Saskatchewan's Jessica Campbell becomes first female assistant coach in NHL history
Saskatchewan’s Jessica Campbell has made hockey history, becoming the first ever female assistant coach in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Campbell, 32, was hired by the Seattle Kraken as an assistant back in July, but made the historic moment official Tuesday during the Kraken’s regular season opener against the St. Louis Blues.
"I try to really just keep my eyes fixed on what matters everyday, to be in the now, to be in the moment, to stay in the trenches with the players,” Campbell told reporters in July. “Though I am honoured to be the first, I don't want to be the only. And I don't feel like I'm the only in this organization. That's also a very special feeling."
Campbell had already broken barriers in 2022, when she was hired as the assistant coach of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the minor league affiliate of the Kraken.
- Get the CTV News app for Saskatchewan breaking news alerts and top stories
The move made her the first female behind the bench as a full-time coach in the American Hockey League (AHL).
"Jessica and I spent the last two years coaching in Coachella Valley,” said Kraken Head Coach Dan Bylsma in a July media release. “I’m confident of what she can do for our staff and bring to the players.”
A variety of organizations offered their congratulations, including the NHL, Hockey Saskatchewan, and the NHL Coaches’ Association.
Campbell grew up playing for the Melville Prairie Fire in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League before going to Cornell University (NCAA) from 2010 to 2014.
She also played for the Canadian Women’s National Team at the World Championships in 2015.
- With files from Brit Dort, Sierra D’Souza-Butts and Donovan Maess
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Vancouver quietly proclaimed Chip Wilson Day as billionaire installed sign calling B.C. NDP 'communist'
On the same day Chip Wilson erected a controversial sign at his Vancouver mansion, the city was quietly honouring the billionaire and his wife.
Danielle Smith facing leadership review Saturday to close out UCP convention
Some 6,000 United Conservative Party members are in Red Deer for the party's annual convention and will cast their votes today on what they think of Premier Danielle Smith's leadership so far.
Local sheriff asks FBI to investigate death of Black man found hanging in Alabama
The FBI is investigating the death of a Black man in Alabama, who was found hanging in an abandoned house, following a request from a local sheriff amid fears among community members who accuse local law enforcement of longstanding, unchecked misconduct.
India trashes Canada for linking home minister to Sikh activist plot
India officially protested on Saturday the Canadian government's allegation that the country's powerful home minister Amit Shah had ordered the targeting of Sikh activists inside Canada, calling it 'absurd and baseless.'
The impact of Trump's lies in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio was once a manufacturing hub. Now, people know it for Trump's comments at September's presidential debate, when he famously - and falsely - told an audience of 67 million people that Haitians eat their pets, echoing claims that had circulated on social media.
Florida's convicted killer clown released from prison for the murder of her husband's then-wife
A woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and in 1990 murdering the wife of a man she later married was released from prison on Saturday.
Man says it's 'surreal' that officials euthanized pet squirrel Peanut
A man who took in an orphaned squirrel and made it a social media star vowed Saturday that New York state's decision to seize and euthanize the animal 'won't go unheard.'
Israeli forces capture senior Hezbollah operative in north Lebanon, Israeli military official says
Israeli naval forces captured a senior Hezbollah operative in north Lebanon, an Israeli military official said Saturday.
Americans in Canada cast ballot ahead of U.S. election
Stephen Winters says watching the U.S. election campaign from Canada as a dual citizen is like a parent watching their kid play sports.