Assistant Coach Jessica Campbell not returning to Kraken next season initially appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jessica Campbell will not be returning to the Seattle Kraken as an assistant coach for the 2026-27 NHL season.
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Per sources to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, Campbell’s contract expires this summer season. The information comes after she made league historical past in July of 2024 when the Kraken promoted her to assistant coach — on the time making her the primary girl to maintain a full-time, on-the-bench position within the league. Campbell joined the Seattle group after two seasons with its AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds — through which she ran the facility play because the crew reached back-to-back Calder Cup Finals.
As Campbell’s contract is about to expire this summer season, it seems per stories that she has acquired curiosity throughout the league. Though, the Kraken have left the door open to her returning to the group in some capability.
Kraken Executive Vice President and General Manager Jason Botterill mentioned Campbell made the choice to transfer on from the Kraken due to different potential teaching alternatives.
“As Jessica’s current contract expires, she has expressed her desire to explore other coaching roles across the League and we support her in this process,” mentioned Botterill in an announcement. “Jessica has been an important member of our coaching staff for the past four years, demonstrating deep knowledge, and a unique ability to connect with and develop players. We respect her decision and believe strongly in her as a coach in this league.”
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Jessica Campbell moves on from Seattle Kraken
Campbell saw a hockey playing career of her own as a former captain of the Ivy League’s Cornell University and played in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and for the Canadian national team.
Seattle entered the NHL as an enlargement franchise in 2021. The Kraken are presently coached by Head Coach Lane Lambert who changed Dan Bylsma.
The Kraken’s launch on April 30 mentioned that Campbell is presently exploring different teaching roles within the NHL after initially becoming a member of the group in July, 2022. In the league, Campbell recurrently had one-on-one classes with Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and — most notably Kaapo Kakko — who had a profession yr after his commerce to the Seattle franchise in December.
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Seattle has solely made the Stanley Cup playoffs as soon as, in 2023, for the reason that founding of the enlargement franchise.