Comedian Nikki Glaser mistaken for Kraken coach Jessica Campbell, delivers hilarious five-word response

By Abhilasha Aditi

Modified Oct 09, 2024 17:48 GMT

Comedian Nikki Glaser found humor this week when people mistook her for Jessica Campbell, the first female assistant coach in the NHL. Campbell made her historic debut with the Seattle Kraken during their opening game against the St. Louis Blues at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday.

Glaser shared a funny response on Instagram, posting a headline about Campbell's debut. She jokingly thanked her followers, saying:

"Thanks to everyone who congratulated me today. I’m ready for this challenge."

via Instagram/@nikkiglaser

She followed up with another post showing Campbell behind the bench, writing:

"So proud of my team."

via Instagram/@nikkiglaser

In an interview with NHL.com, Campbell spoke about the significance of the moment. She said she was excited about the year ahead but also recognized the importance of being a role model for others with similar goals.

"The year ahead is going to be a lot of fun. But to know and to understand that obviously there's still at the forefront the thoughts of other women and other people who have the same aspirations as I do."

"So, to carry that torch every day and keep my focus on being a coach, but it definitely puts meaning into the work," she explained.

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Jessica Campbell on her historic role as NHL's first female assistant coach with Seattle Kraken

Jessica Campbell also talked about the importance of her new role as the first female assistant coach in the NHL with the Seattle Kraken.

“To be here now and taking it all in and to be doing it with Dan and with a lot of the younger guys, too, that have come up with us in Coachella,” Campbell added, “the pieces all fit together, and I think the timing is great."

Campbell’s coaching journey has been impressive. She began her career playing with Team Saskatchewan, where she served as the captain twice. She then played college hockey at Cornell University, scoring 46 goals and 54 assists over four years. After college, she played three seasons with the Calgary Inferno in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, contributing 29 goals and 21 assists to her career stats.

Internationally, Campbell played for Canada’s national team, winning three medals. She earned silver with the Under-18 team in 2009, gold in 2010, and another silver at the 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship. After retiring from competition in 2017, she transitioned to coaching, launching JC Powerskating, where she trained NHL players like Tyson Jost and Joel Edmundson.

In 2022, Jessica Campbell made history again. She became the first full-time female coach in the AHL. She worked with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken's minor league affiliate.

Jessica Campbell's leadership and experience eventually led her to the Seattle Kraken.