Keep the door open | Seattle Kraken

While Campbell was all business behind the bench, she had a loud cheering section nearby. Campbell's aunt and uncle were there, as was Leo Parker – Campbell's first minor league hockey coach – and his wife, Sharon. The Bulawka's were also in attendance, the first family from Campbell's hometown of Kelowna to hire Jessica as a skating coach for their two sons. “That’s kind of what got me here,” she said. And of course Mom, Monique and Dad Gary sat rooted to their seats. They had even come to practice the day before, Monique already proudly wearing her Kraken jersey.

“She got a really big cheer today that was really emotional, heartfelt and deserved,” Monique said. “I saw her work really, really hard. She has invested a lot of time and energy studying and learning the game. It was really exciting and I really respect her for all her work and her work ethic.”

Also in attendance are six of her former college and Team Canada teammates. Among them were Blayre Turnbull, Bailey Bram and Jill Saulnier, who traveled from all over North America to cheer on their friend.

“It’s like every single emotion you can imagine,” Turnbull said. “As her former teammates and especially as her friends, I don't think any of us could be prouder of Jess to see her reach this moment and milestone and to be here to witness it first hand. “She is successful as a trainer, but also as a person. I think that's why she achieved everything she could in her young life. She’s a great friend, she’s been a great teammate and obviously she’s a very qualified and great coach.”

And when the final siren sounded, the Kraken didn't get the result they wanted on the ice, but the moment wasn't lost on the team, who learned from Campbell as they come out early to every practice and stay late to help each player, who needs another pass or rep on his skates.

“We’re all proud to be a part of this,” Vince Dunn said. “It's definitely a sign for all women around the world, so it's a special moment for them tonight. It’s a shame we couldn’t secure her victory.”

After her post-game work was done, Campbell met with her loved ones who had come to Seattle to celebrate her. Next was a nice dinner – a benefit of the 1:30 a.m. puck drop time – to catch up with loved ones and “hug each other in the moment.”

About this moment.

Campbell says the impact of the milestones she achieves often hits her later. For her, seeing photos and hearing people's comments afterward are the things that reinforce what her work means to those who see it.

“All I know is that the little kids who have their first hockey game tomorrow just know that a female coach can be behind the bench. This is very special for me,” said Campbell. “It motivates me every day to know that I am part of something much bigger than myself, my job and my coaching. Even though that's what's closest to my heart and what's most important to me, it's knowing that by doing that, by showing up every day and keeping my head in the right space, I know that from that only good things can come about.

“Hopefully it will hold the door open for someone else instead of pushing it open and finding ways to unlock it. I look at the other women around me and other people in the industry who are contributing and doing fantastic work. And it's part of a movement. I think it's part of a really important change. Whenever there are different people in the room, different and good results are achieved. You get unique results. You solve problems in a different way and I think that’s how you move forward in life and in sport.”