Behind the Bench: The Barriers Women Face in Professional Coaching

Jessica Campbell from the Seattle Kraken performed the ceremonial puck drop on the 5th of January 2025. Photo by Jenn G

Written by Gina Anton

Jessica Campbell, a Canadian ice hockey player, is the first-ever woman to be in a coaching position in the NHL. Appointed as assistant coach to the Seattle Kraken at the beginning of the 2024-2025 season, she made history. Why is it that women are so underrepresented in the hockey world?

The PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League) was created as a way to give women the opportunity to play at the highest level in North America. Nevertheless, the coaching staff in the PWHL is mainly male-dominated yet again. In North America, few women have high-profile coaching experience due to the limited opportunities for women to play professionally. Additionally, even with coaches like Jessica Campbell, women receive significantly less recognition in the NHL, often being taken less seriously than their male counterparts in similar roles.

Kris Sparre has been named the new head coach for the Boston Fleet’s upcoming 2025-2026 season. According to the Boston Fleet staff, "Sparre brings more than nine years of coaching experience to the Fleet with a proven track record of player development and team success." Upon further research, Sparre has played years as a minor league forward and has no experience playing for a national team or an NHL team. What makes him a good fit for the PWHL?

 “Kris brings clarity, structure, and a deep commitment to helping players succeed. Just as importantly, he’s known as a relationship-driven coach and an elite communicator—someone who builds trust, connects with players, and brings energy and purpose to the rink every day,” said Boston Fleet General Manager Danielle Marmer. 

Female players across North America with experience like Jessica Campbell deserve greater consideration for head coaching positions over their male counterparts. As the PWHL continues to grow, there is a strong push to increase women’s roles not only on the ice but also behind the scenes as managers and leaders. Promoting female presence in the sport should be a top priority. By having highly skilled women coach alongside former NHL players, the league can help them gain valuable experience and foster a stronger, more supportive community for women in ice hockey.