It was a big deal when it was announced on Monday that Seattle Kraken invited Coachella Valley Firebirds assistant coach Jessica Campbell to be behind the bench for their preseason game against the Calgary Flames. Almost immediate, Campbell was labeled as the “first female coach” in the NHL, getting lots of attention on social media.
There is nothing short of amazing when it comes to Campbell and we are not looking to take anything away. She is currently in her her second season as an assistant for Coachella Valley. She was hired there in July 2022 as a member of Dan Bylsma’s staff and then became the first-ever female assistant coach in the AHL and helped the Firebirds reach the Calder Cup Finals in the team’s inaugural season. Ultimately, the team did fall to the Hershey Bears in in overtime of Game Seven. Campbell also served as an assistant coach for Team Germany at the Men’s World Championships in 2022, becoming the first woman in the history of that tournament to ever do so.
But here’s the thing. The real “first female NHL coach” should go to Kori Cheverie, who was a bench boss just days prior with the Pittsburgh Penguins. She was a guest instructor for the Pens during both their development camp and training camp and will now continue her coaching career as the head coach of the PWHL Montreal team.
And if we’re going to point out other women whom have worked on an NHL bench during a game, there are trainers Aisha Visram (Los Angeles Kings) and Jodi van Rees (Montreal Canadiens). Last year, the Boston Bruins also hired Danielle Marmer as Player Development and Scouting Assistant.
There was also Emily Engel-Natzke became the first, full-time female coach of an NHL team when she was hired by the Washington Capitals in 2022 when she became the team’s video coordinator. She does not however actively coach from behind the bench during games.
Just saying a lot of women are making their marks in the NHL, and it’s only the beginning!
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