Vancouver Goldeneyes goaltender Kristen Campbell has always looked up to her mother. Like many hockey parents, Janet Campbell devoted countless hours in cold arenas, shuttling kids to and from endless practices, and enthusiastically supporting every play from the sidelines. While Kristen faced challenges on the ice, Janet fought her own battle against multiple sclerosis, a condition she was diagnosed with in 1999 when Kristen was around two years old.
Kristen Campbell expressed admiration for her mother’s resilience in managing the disease and the associated obstacles. She highlighted Janet’s unwavering support, always prioritizing her children by attending every hockey practice, game, and tournament, despite facing her own health struggles. Kristen described her mother as her best friend and ultimate role model in life.
Hailing from Brandon, Manitoba, Campbell is now sharing her family’s journey as part of A&W’s annual Burgers to Beat MS campaign. On August 20, A&W will donate $2 from every Teen Burger sold nationwide to MS Canada to aid individuals living with the disease and contribute to research on treatment options.
“My mom is among the 90,000 Canadians living with MS, so supporting this cause is deeply personal to me and to all Canadians,” Campbell stated. She expressed her desire to stand in solidarity with those battling MS, raise awareness, support research efforts, and ultimately work towards finding a cure.
MS impacts the central nervous system and manifests through various symptoms such as vision problems, numbness, cognitive changes, and mood fluctuations. While many of Janet Campbell’s symptoms are not immediately visible, including head pain, leg stiffness, and sensitivity to temperature changes, Kristen emphasized her mother’s ability to lead a fulfilling life despite the challenges.
Kristen attributed many of her qualities to her mother, particularly acknowledging the strong work ethic that has propelled her hockey career forward. Having achieved notable success in hockey, including winning gold at the 2022 Olympics and being recognized as the top goaltender in the PWHL’s 2024 season, Campbell moved to Vancouver for the 2025-26 season, sharing goaltending duties with Emerance Maschmeyer.
Reflecting on the inaugural season with the Goldeneyes, Campbell expressed gratitude for the overwhelming fan support and the electric atmosphere in the arena. She emphasized the team’s goal of progressing further in the upcoming season and engaging more fans to support the franchise’s growth.
Following Vancouver’s playoff miss in May, Campbell took a break before resuming coaching responsibilities and organizing goalie camps. She described the process of returning to peak performance, both mentally and physically, as intentional, given her seasoned experience in the sport.
The upcoming PWHL season, commencing in November, will witness new teams in San Jose, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Hamilton, marking a significant expansion from when Campbell first entered the league in 2024. She expressed excitement over the league’s growth, with 12 teams now competing in NHL venues and drawing enthusiastic fan support, showcasing the evolution and promising future of women’s hockey.
Campbell looks forward to the continued development and expansion of the league, driven by the passion and belief of fans in the players and the product they represent.