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First Female NHL Assistant Coach Campbell Leaves Kraken

5/1/2026

23 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Jessica Campbell will leave Seattle Kraken when her contract expires on April 30, 2026, to seek NHL coaching jobs.
Jason Botterill said team supports decision and noted Campbell, the NHL’s first female assistant coach, joined in 2022 and helped the AHL Firebirds reach Calder Cup finals in 2023 and 2024.
After a third missed playoff with a 34-37-11 record, the Kraken began an audit led by Botterill and CEO Tod Leiweke.

History

Historical Context

Title IX, enacted on June 23 1972, barred sex discrimination in any federally funded school program, when women comprised 42 % of college students. Decades later, the NHL’s Seattle Kraken appointed Jessica Campbell in 2022 as its first female assistant coach, a move highlighted by the league’s diversity audit overseen by Jason Botterill, signaling expanding gender-equity in professional sports.

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Story summary

Jessica Campbell will leave Seattle Kraken when her contract expires on April 30, 2026, to seek NHL coaching jobs.
Jason Botterill said team supports decision and noted Campbell, the NHL’s first female assistant coach, joined in 2022 and helped the AHL Firebirds reach Calder Cup finals in 2023 and 2024.
After a third missed playoff with a 34-37-11 record, the Kraken began an audit led by Botterill and CEO Tod Leiweke.

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