“Even though I am honored to be the first, I don’t want to be the only one.”
Jessica Campbell shattered another glass ceiling for women in professional sports on Wednesday. By being named an assistant coach to Dan Bylsma with the Seattle Kraken, she became the first woman in history to earn a spot behind the bench of a National Hockey League team.
“Perhaps a little naively, I had the courage to believe that it was possible, even if I didn’t see [de femmes derrière les bancs]. I believed I could do it,” the 32-year-old said in a talk attended virtually The PressWednesday late afternoon.
“I had to trust myself and believe in what I was doing without focusing on the outside noise. The barriers that exist are, generally, those that we impose on ourselves.”
Like many other coaches, Campbell has come a long way to make her mark in the world’s best league. She entered the world of coaching in 2017, after her playing career in the NCAA and the defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League.
About five years ago, she started her own skating and skills program, with professional players including Brent Seabrook under her wing.
I realized that this is what I wanted to do. These guys are showing up to my practices in huge numbers. I want to pursue that goal and get behind a bench.
Jessica Campbell
For the past two years, Campbell has been an assistant coach with the Kraken’s affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL, assisting Bylsma, who was promoted to the big club in late May.
“The reason I hired Jess [il y a deux ans]it’s for her experience and her ability to work with players and develop a game plan, the head coach explained Wednesday. She sees what they need to improve.”
“The demonstration she has given in the last two years is no different. […] It makes me want to give him a chance to do that in the NHL.”
Clearly, the main person concerned said she was “honored” to be the first in this position, specifying however that “being the first was never really something” on which she focused. “I was always focused on the work, on the impact [que je pouvais avoir]. »
While I’m honored to be the first, I don’t want to be the only one. And honestly, I don’t feel like I’m the only one in this organization. […] Some of them aren’t behind the bench, but there’s a long list of incredible women who are doing phenomenal work in management groups, scouting, player development. I’m excited to contribute from the bench.
Jessica Campbell
Of course, like all those who have broken glass ceilings before her, Campbell is aware that her success will help aspiring female coaches. “I know that if the team is successful, and I have a good impact, then it could open doors for others. It could open other people’s eyes and make them think differently.”
Communication
Jessica Campbell has been very clear: she believes “a lot in communication.” She does not hesitate, she maintains, to “show compassion for the players according to what they are going through, especially when things are difficult.”
“I’m just excited to start getting to know all the players’ stories. I want them to tell me individually where they are in their careers and see how I can help them personally improve their game.”
On a personal level, she also wants to continue learning and being “a student of the game.”
“In my mind, it’s important to continue to evolve and grow. I gained experience with NHL players early in my coaching career and I want to use that in the relationships I want to build here with the Kraken players.”
And who knows, maybe she’ll be a head coach one day?