Vancouver Goldeneyes goaltender Kristen Campbell has always looked up to her mother. Like many parents of hockey players, Janet Campbell devoted numerous hours in cold arenas, shuttling kids to practices and games, and enthusiastically supporting every move from the sidelines. While Kristen was battling on the ice, her mother was fighting her own battle against multiple sclerosis, having been diagnosed with the condition in 1999 when Kristen was only two years old.
Kristen expressed admiration for her mother’s strength in facing the challenges of the disease while prioritizing her family and children. Participating in A&W’s annual Burgers to Beat MS campaign, Kristen shared her family’s journey to raise awareness and support those affected by MS. On August 20, A&W pledged to donate $2 from every Teen Burger sold nationwide to MS Canada for aiding individuals living with MS and advancing research for treatments.
Kristen highlighted her mother’s resilience as one of the 90,000 Canadians living with MS, emphasizing the personal significance of supporting the cause. She emphasized the importance of standing with those battling MS, raising awareness, and striving for improved treatments and a potential cure.
Despite dealing with invisible symptoms like head pain, leg stiffness, and sensitivity to temperature changes, Janet Campbell has led a fulfilling life without being hindered by the disease. Kristen attributes many of her own qualities, including a strong work ethic, to her mother’s influence, which has propelled her successful hockey career.
Having achieved significant milestones in her hockey journey, including winning gold at the 2022 Olympics and being recognized as the top goaltender in the PWHL, Kristen now aims to continue growing as a player with the Goldeneyes. The upcoming season brings new challenges and opportunities with the league expanding to include teams in San Jose, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Hamilton, marking a remarkable evolution since Kristen’s debut in the league in 2024.
As she prepares for the upcoming season, Kristen has immersed herself in coaching, organizing goalie camps, and focusing on her training regimen to ensure peak performance. With the support of passionate fans and the league’s growth, she looks forward to the continued success and development of women’s hockey in the PWHL.
Kristen’s dedication to her sport and her commitment to raising awareness for MS reflect her values instilled by her mother, who continues to inspire her both on and off the ice.