Patrick Reimer had something to say to his trainer Tom Rowe this week. “Man oh man,” said the captain of the Nürnberg Ice Tigers, “she presented us with a plan that was excellent.” Rowe smiled as he shared this story on Wednesday night. Because she also says that his plan worked. Rowe is almost 66 years old – making him the oldest coach in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL). He spent much of his professional hockey career as a man of the old, conservative school, but now, at an advanced age, he is open to new things. That’s why he brought Jessica Campbell aside earlier this week. The 29-year-old was a Canadian international and won World Cup silver with her country. She now works as a technical trainer with NHL and DEL players.
So she came to Nuremberg at the beginning of the week to individually support the Nuremberg pros. The fact that she was standing behind the gang next to Rowe and his assistant trainer Manuel Kofler just a few hours later at the home game against the Iserlohn Roosters was not planned, but it shows how convincing she was in her talks with Rowe. “I told her, ‘Grab a pen and go to the tactics board,'” Rowe said. With Campbell, the Ice Tigers defeated the Roosters 6-2 and picked up a point in Wednesday’s 3-2 penalty shootout loss at EHC Red Bull Munich. A woman in a trainer position behind the gang: That has never existed in the DEL. Campbell worked in a dark blazer, arms crossed – and chewing gum.
From the old iron, but not from yesterday: Icetigers head coach Tom Rowe Trainer.
(Photo: Thomas Hahn/Zink/Imago)
Contact with Campbell came about through Ice Tigers sports director Stefan Ustorf. Rowe knew the name, but there had been no personal contact. But he was very quickly so enthusiastic about the ideas of the 29-year-old that he gave her full responsibility for the offensive and the power play. “Tom gave me a pretty significant role,” Campbell said. A woman in a managerial position in men’s ice hockey, in a sport where macho structures are still widespread, is anything but natural. But that wasn’t an issue for the old hand Rowe. “I don’t care if it’s a guy or a woman,” he said. “I just want to have the best people around me, they make me and the players look better.” He put his ego on the back burner.
After 15 seconds, the new boss was accepted by the players, says defender Andrew Bodnarchuk
The Nuremberg players are enthusiastic about the impulses that come from Campbell. Andrew Bodnarchuk, who made it 1-0 in Munich, said it took just 15 seconds “for everyone in the dressing room to understand that she belonged here”. Campbell has a “great hockey mind” and a very good feel for the game: “The boys immediately pricked up their ears.” Tim Bender was also immediately convinced: “Since she’s been here, we’ve talked a lot about the offensive, which I think is also our biggest weakness.” And Campbell’s tips paid off immediately. “You can tell there’s more creativity involved and we’re creating more chances.” With Campbell there, “we’ve found more space in the offensive zone,” said Bodnarchuk. And there’s less swearing because of their presence, too, coach Rowe added with a smile.
Rowe, who only took over the Franks in October, quickly gave them structure and ensured that they confidently qualified for the pre-playoffs. For a long time he concentrated on defensive work, because “there was a lot to clean up there,” he said. Now, with the playoffs approaching, fresh offensive thinking should be planted – and Campbell seems to be doing it brilliantly. “I’m trying to bring a different perspective and vision,” she said. Her experience from the women’s area helps her, because the game there is not as physical and therefore more technical. It’s about getting into the attacking third with the disc on the racket, not shooting it deep into the round and chasing after it, as North American coaches often preach.
Campbell recognizes that she is more than a talented coach. She is a pioneer. Whether man or woman, “ultimately we all speak the language of ice hockey,” she emphasized. Although she was often told that there was no place for women in the men’s area, she did not let herself be deterred from her path. Her message is: “Don’t let them tell you: Sorry, it’s not possible, you’re a woman.” She is convinced that the mentality will change – and gives the Ice Tigers “high credit” for giving her this opportunity. On Friday, at the home game against the Augsburg Panthers, she will be behind the gang for the Ice Tigers for the last time, then she will return to Chicago. Her goal is to eventually work as a head coach in the men’s division. If Rowe has his way, it will. Campbell, he said, has “a bright future ahead of him.”
