To that end, Penall launched the National Hockey League Coaches Association Women’s Coach Development Program on March 8, 2020. The organization has been influential in allowing women to network, gain opportunities and discover potential, making the NHL aware of potential recruits.
All of this dictates what happened on Wednesday and what Seattle's bench will look like in 2024-25.
“Obviously, it's an honor to be in this position,” Campbell said. “To be first to say it, to be first to be there. But that's not my focus. I'm always focused on the work, the impact, the job. … But I think the biggest thing is that I'm reminded so often, and that gives the job so much meaning. [is] I know that if my team is successful and I have a big impact, it could pave the way for others and open their eyes to think differently.
“But I try to live every day in the moment, focus on what's important and be at the forefront with my players. I'm honored to be the first, but I don't want to be the only one. And I honestly don't think I'm the only one in this organization.”
It's special, she said, and she's not the only one. Not in Seattle, not in the NHL anymore.
But Campbell will now be standing behind the bench every game with the Kraken and become the most visible woman in the NHL.
That's important. It makes sense.
“It's about believing that anything is possible,” Campbell said. “I had the courage, maybe in a naive way, to believe that this could be possible. And even when I couldn't see it, I believed I could do it. I think if you have that inner belief, whether it's in sports or in life, you can create anything you believe in.”
“I think what's special and exciting about Seattle is that even though it's a young girl's or a young boy's first NHL game, they're never going to see anything that looks different than what they could become. I'm happy to play a part in that.”
