The Local Girl 
The New Jersey Devils have added a history-making coach to the organization ahead of the 2026-2027 season. On September 16th, the Devils announced that Jessica Campbell has joined the organization as Manager, Player Development, following four years with the Seattle Kraken organization. Jessica became the first woman in NHL history to work full-time behind the bench as an assistant coach when she joined Seattle’s NHL staff in 2024. Now, her next chapter is in New Jersey, where she’ll help develop the players who could eventually suit up for the Devils at the Prudential Center. Read on for more about Jessica Campbell, her new role with the New Jersey Devils.
Who Is Jessica Campbell?
Jessica Campbell is a former professional hockey player, longtime skills coach, + former NHL assistant coach whose career has taken her through women’s hockey, European professional hockey, the American Hockey League, + eventually the NHL.
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Jessica is a Saskatchewan native who played four seasons of NCAA Division I hockey at Cornell University from 2010 through 2014. She also represented Canada internationally, captaining the country to gold at the 2010 IIHF Women’s U18 World Championship, where she scored the overtime game-winner + was named tournament MVP. Jessica played professionally for the Calgary Inferno in the former Canadian Women’s Hockey League before later playing in Sweden.
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Jessica transitioned into coaching with a focus on player development. She started her own coaching business, and then during the 2021-2022 season, she worked as an assistant coach + skills coach with the Nürnberg Ice Tigers in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga and also served as an assistant coach with Germany at the 2022 IIHF World Championship. In July 2022, Jessica joined the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate, as an assistant coach. The Firebirds reached the Calder Cup Final in each of her two seasons, and Jessica became known within the Seattle organization for her player-development work.
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The Seattle Kraken hired Jessica as an assistant coach on July 3rd, 2024, making NHL history: she was the first woman hired as a full-time NHL assistant coach to work behind the bench during regular-season games. Jessica spent two seasons with Seattle, primarily working with the team’s forwards + power play. Her contract expired after the 2025-2026 season, and the Kraken announced in April that she would explore other NHL opportunities.
NJ Devils
On September 16th, 2026, the Devils announced that Jessica had been hired as Manager, Player Development. Jessica will work alongside existing development coaches Eric Weinrich, Mark Voakes, + Esa Pirnes. According to the Devils, the department focuses on developing the organization’s draft picks + younger players while connecting them with resources across coaching, athlete care, + performance. The group also serves as a resource for the Utica Comets.
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Jessica will be helping players throughout the Devils’ system take the next step in their careers, including prospects hoping to eventually earn a spot in New Jersey’s NHL lineup.
See more: NHL Players Who Have Lived in Hudson County
In an interview with NHL.com, Jessica talked about why working with younger players was so important to her. “It’s about the journey. Every day I’m looking at the different ways I can help them get to that work, get to that process, and be motivated. I love the environment of hustling with the guys,” she said. “I’m excited about the youth of our organization as well and what they’re rising to. For me, that fuels me every day, is that winning mindset and growth mindset.”
Welcome to New Jersey, Jessica! Our poutine may not be as good as Canada’s, but we can introduce you to disco fries and diner culture.
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