For first AHL female coach, ‘Hockey is hockey. We speak the same language.’

There’s been another first for women in professional sports, and for the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken. Jessica Campbell was hired as an assistant coach with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken’s American Hockey League affiliate in California.

She'll be working closely with Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma to develop Kraken prospects for the NHL. She told KUOW’s Kim Malcolm about her qualifications and her hopes for the future.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Kim Malcolm: How did this coaching opportunity come about?

Jessica Campbell: In the last three months, I had a bit of a journey into coaching at the pro level from coaching the German national team at the World Championships. And I spent the last few years coaching at the pro level in my own business.

Who was the first person you told about the job?

I called my dad. My dad and my mom have been huge supporters. They tied up my skates for many years. I wouldn't be who I am today, nor would I be where I am today, without all of the support and encouragement. My dad and my mom were my first calls, and they were just over-the-moon excited.

Who are you going to be working with, and what kind of impact are you hoping to have?

In my role as an assistant coach, I’ll work under Dan Bylsma. He has a wealth of experience in the game at the highest level. Our focus is on developing the prospects for the Kraken. I'm really looking forward to my role, knowing that I can make an impact on these players and help them get to the goals that they're aspiring to.

You have extensive experience yourself as a player. What do you bring to your role as a coach that you learned as a player?

I think my biggest value as a coach now is understanding that hockey is hockey. Playing the female game or the men's game, we speak the same language, I've lived the same feelings and experiences, and I've been at the highs and the lows. To me, at the end of the day, coaching is communication. It's about caring about your players and making sure you're doing everything to make them successful. When I transitioned from playing to coaching, that definitely became a very natural part of my coaching style.

You're 30 years old. You have lots of time. Do you have an ultimate career goal in mind?

Absolutely. I definitely want to coach in the NHL one day. I want to be part of an organization. Whether it's in Seattle or elsewhere, I want to continue to work and develop as a coach, capable and able to coach us at the National Hockey League level.

And you don't see anything standing in your way for that?

There are going to be challenges and a lot of learning, but I'm excited, and I think I'm capable. There are really no obstacles there that I'm not going to be putting in front of myself. It's about the people and leaning on the people around you to learn and grow. I'm just excited about really focusing on Coachella and Seattle, to see where it takes me. I'm not in a rush. Just like everybody, I want to put my time in and see it out to where it gets me.

Listen to the interview by clicking the play button above.