Vancouver Goldeneyes goalie Kristen Campbell has always looked up to her mother. Like many parents of hockey players, Janet Campbell dedicated countless hours to supporting her children’s hockey pursuits, braving cold arenas, shuttling them to practices, and enthusiastically cheering from the sidelines. Amid Kristen’s on-ice battles, Janet fought her own battle against multiple sclerosis, a condition she has been managing since being diagnosed in 1999 when Kristen was just a toddler.
Kristen admires her mother’s resilience in facing the challenges brought on by the disease while prioritizing her family and always being present at Kristen’s hockey events. Sharing her family’s journey, Campbell is part of A&W’s Burgers to Beat MS campaign, where $2 from each Teen Burger sold on August 20 will be donated to MS Canada to aid individuals with MS and advance research for treatments.
Expressing her support for the cause, Campbell highlights her mom as one of the 90,000 Canadians living with MS and stresses the importance of raising awareness, seeking better treatments, and ultimately finding a cure. Despite dealing with the complexities of MS, Janet has led a fulfilling life, managing mostly invisible symptoms like headaches, leg stiffness, and temperature sensitivity.
Kristen attributes many of her qualities, including her strong work ethic, to her mother’s influence. Having achieved significant milestones in her hockey career, such as winning gold at the 2022 Olympics and being named the top goaltender in the PWHL in 2024, Campbell moved to Vancouver to play for the Goldeneyes and has been instrumental in the team’s success.
Following a break after Vancouver missed the playoffs, Campbell delved into coaching, conducting goalie camps, and resuming her training routine. With the upcoming season bringing new teams and changes to the PWHL, Campbell is optimistic about the league’s growth and the continued support from fans.
As the hockey season approaches, Campbell is gearing up mentally and physically, aiming to maintain peak performance for the upcoming challenges. The evolving landscape of the PWHL, with expansion teams and larger fan bases, signifies a promising future for the league, reflecting the dedication and belief of supporters in its growth and success.