From the outside, there was some skepticism when the Professional Women’s Hockey League announced its expansion to Seattle. Questions lingered about whether women’s hockey could truly take hold on the West Coast and whether the city’s hockey appetite extended beyond the Kraken. From Jessica Campbell’s perspective, there was never any doubt.

Campbell, the Seattle Kraken’s assistant coach and a trailblazer as the first woman behind an NHL bench, viewed Seattle as a natural fit for the PWHL long before the Torrent ever took the ice.

As the franchise is playing its inaugural season, early indicators with record-breaking crowds and growing community investment have only reinforced her belief that the city was ready.

“I think that Seattle is a perfect and was the perfect candidate, and is a perfect city to have women’s hockey,” Campbell said this week. “I just think the amount of support overall for sports in general, it’s unbelievable.”

Campbell sees Seattle as a natural fit for PWHL expansion

Much of Campbell’s confidence stems from Seattle’s broader sports culture. The doubts that once followed the Kraken’s arrival in 2018 have long since faded, replaced by sold-out arenas and one of the NHL’s most engaged fan bases. Campbell sees the Torrent coming up as a continuation of that same story.

“I think that our city is just a true believer in what women’s hockey is built on, the passion behind it, the commitment and showing up, and the deserving platform of playing at Climate Pledge,” she said. “I’m not surprised that our fans and our community showed up for them.”

That support was on full display during the Torrent’s home opener which drew a record-setting crowd and instantly became a milestone moment for the franchise. While results on the ice are still evolving the atmosphere sure says women’s hockey is here to stay in Seattle.

Kraken and Torrent sharing facilities is a positive

Both the Kraken and the Torrent share facilities at the Kraken Community Iceplex. Campbell has already experienced that crossover firsthand from Torrent players watching Kraken practices to her role in delivering the news that Hilary Knight would serve as the franchise’s inaugural captain.

“It’s awesome. I think it should just be normal, right?” Campbell said. “Being on the ice with the guys, having our pro women’s team right next door with the same amenities and support, it’s a testament to how far the game has grown.”

For Campbell, the significance lies as she said, in normalization. The presence of elite women training in the same spaces, with the same resources shows how far the sport has come and where it’s headed.

“We’re all really working together in the same direction,” she said. “It’s really cool to be able to celebrate that now and feel the energy both sides.”

Campbell is mentoring players off the ice

Recognizing how overwhelming relocation can be, Jessica Campbell shared that she has taken on an informal mentorship role for Torrent players adjusting to life in Seattle, a city she herself had to learn quickly.

“I’ve definitely tried to support the girls,” Campbell said. “Anytime you move to a new city, you make your touch points of who you know… whether it’s food, things they would need to look after. We’re all in it together.”

That support mirrors the broader culture developing around the Torrent where Kraken players have attended games, worn Torrent jerseys and also publicly voiced their encouragement. Campbell said that the sense of shared identity between the franchises will help the Torrent feel less like an expansion experiment and more like an established part of Seattle’s hockey ecosystem.

Jesscia Campbell praises Torrent’s roster balance of veterans and youth

Campbell’s connection to the Torrent roster runs deep. She has competed against veterans like Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter while also coaching younger players such as Danielle Serdachny earlier in her career. She said it makes this inaugural season feel personal.

“I played against a handful of those girls… just vetted pros that have been around, driving the game forward,” Campbell said. “Danielle Serdachny is a young player that I had an opportunity to coach… so to see her here as a franchise player, there’s just huge pieces with the youth of that team, and then also the veteran group.”

She also mentioned the international talent across the roster pointing to European players who may become foundational figures as the league grows.

“It’s an exciting roster,” she said. “There’s a lot of outstanding players who I think will get to make their mark.”

Momentum for women’s hockey in Seattle

From her hiring with the Kraken to the PWHL Takeover Tour and the sold-out home opener, the momentum feels undeniable for women’s hockey in the city.

“Climate Pledge is a very special place,” Campbell said. “To see the opening night for the girls sold out, it’s not surprising whatsoever. The product has always been there, the game has always been there. Now they’re playing in the arenas they deserve.”

She hopes the excitement eventually becomes routine and a sign that women’s hockey has fully arrived.

“I would love to see that just be a normal reality and we’re not even talking about it anymore,” she said.

‘The best is yet to come’

As the Seattle Torrent continue to establish themselves on the ice, Campbell views this season as a starting point rather than a destination. The inspiration sparked by the home opener is what matters most to her.

“There’s so many amazing things about our sport,” Campbell said. “I got just a glimmer of how exciting this season is going to be, and I’m just proud to be able to cheer them on, support them, and advocate for them.”

And just like Campbell said,  “The best is yet to come for the city.”