“I learned at a young age that nothing is permanent”

– Old truths must give way to new ones, it is stated Minna Canthin in a play written in 1891 by the priest’s family.

Canadian coach Jessica Campbell he hardly knows the story of a Finnish great woman, but even without knowing it he perfectly embodies Canth’s idea. Campbell, 29, coaches the first woman in history at the World Hockey Championships when she was selected during the tournament Toni Söderholm lead the German coaching team.

An experienced hockey man working for a German team Tom Rowe asked Campbell to join the DEL team in Nuremberg, which he coached in the spring, where Campbell was given more responsibility than expected. Later, the connection also led to the national team.

– The level of players and the management team has impressed. I bring the same level, but a slightly different perspective. I like to evolve every day and think a little out of the box, Campbell notes.

– We talked to Toni (Söderholm) about the potty and my ideas for probably half an hour to an hour. I think he saw something different in me, and I’m happy about that.

The glass roof is also slowly crumbling in men’s hockey. In the winter, the NHL club Vancouver Canucks hired a puck legend Cammi Granaton and Emilie Castonguayn To the Canucks office as an assistant GM, and in Anaheim in 1996-1997 Angela Gorgonen after the first women in office.

Campbell is pleased that now a step has also been taken on the coaching side at the World Cup level for men. First and foremost, the most important thing for her is to get coached at the highest possible level, be it women or men.

– I haven’t thought about accepting me. I just came to coach. I have been working with professional players for the last three years and my self-confidence has grown. I know what I am doing and I know my level is adequate.

– I want responsibility and important roles, and that’s why I love this opportunity. I am grateful to the German Federation, the players and the rest of the management team, because I think this is important for the game. This shows everyone with similar aspirations that anything is possible.

Campbell, who played one of the World Championships in maple leaf shirts in his career in 2015, runs his own skating coaching company, and in recent years he has coached professional players both individually and in small groups, especially during the summer.

For him, the glass ceiling has never looked very bright. Growing up in a hockey-enthusiastic family in the small towns of Rocanville and Melville, Saskatchewan, Campbell played on the boys ’teams until they reached adulthood.

She is aware of the challenges women face in masculine bitch culture, but she has managed to build her own path without much trouble. Campbell’s goal is high, and he doesn’t want to set limits for himself.

– I am focused on skill coaching and I want to be the best in my field. It has gotten me this far because my focus has not been on being able to when this is difficult now and oh when this is not succeeding now.

– Florence (Schelling) and the examples of Cammin (Granato) have made me think, “Yeah, that’s exactly what this should be.” I have not had such a feeling of inadequacy that something else should be done.

Schelling worked as the sports director of SC Bern from 2020 to 21.

Head coach Söderholm emphasizes that Germany did not want to be making history in particular, but that the decision was limited to hockey. At a general level, an intelligent Finnish leader hopes that the puck will broaden his thinking.

– Even in hockey, it’s time to see what different voices can bring to men. It is also about how children and young people are raised to see society in general, Söderholm says.

– There is definitely an order for it, but now we are in the World Cup, where winning games is the most important thing. We have tried to find the right people for us.

Campbell pays really close attention to the little details, and he cites clear and purposeful communication as his strength. According to the former HIFK defender, the technical assistant of the new assistant coach is good, and the Canadian has been given responsibility for, among other things, the team’s underpower game.

– He goes through things with the players in detail, for example, in the way in which the game of underpower is pressured not only through tactics, but also through technology. He is eager, has a lot of energy and tirelessly seeks solutions for the best of the player, Söderholm praises.

Söderholm says the reception on the team has been good. Captain Moritz Müllerin according to the credibility of the team and the locker room is built on competence, not gender.

– We know he knows what he’s talking about. She’s sure to be one of the women pioneers in jobs like this, and she’s done a really good job so far, Müller, 35, says.

– He hasn’t brought anything that has never been seen or done before, but he gives good tips for skating, for example.

Campbell became a kingdom celebrity in Canada two years ago when he participated in the reality TV show Battle of the Blades, which gathered millions of people in the country. In the program, pairs of hockey players and figure skaters compete against each other. One pair is dropped each week, and Campbell reached the pair Asher Hillin with the competition second.

The prize money of C $ 70,000 went to charities for organizations working to prevent mental health problems among young people, for example. Campbell has said that he danced especially for those who also played hockey Josh-brother who died in a car accident after Campbell was 10 years old.

The brother was an important support in Jessica’s sister’s childhood, and Campbell wants to take advantage of all the opportunities that come his way in life, according to his brother’s teachings. Access to the German men’s national team has been one of the most significant so far.

– I know he’s here and watching me. Things in life happen for some reason, so does this. I learned at a young age that nothing is permanent, not even the people we love the most.

– He has been a source of motivation for me to continue to believe and use every opportunity we can. So I have been able to get to places I have gotten to.

Germany will face next in the World Hockey Tournament in Switzerland on Tuesday at 12.20.