Vancouver Goldeneyes goaltender Kristen Campbell has always looked up to her mother. Like many parents involved in hockey, Janet Campbell dedicated numerous hours in icy arenas, shuttling kids to practices, and supporting every play from the sidelines. While Kristen competed on the ice, her mother battled multiple sclerosis, a condition she was diagnosed with in 1999 when Kristen was just a toddler.
Kristen expressed admiration for her mother’s resilience in facing the challenges of the disease while prioritizing her family. Janet consistently attended Kristen’s hockey practices, games, and tournaments despite her own health struggles. Kristen described her mother as her best friend and primary 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 initiative. On August 20, A&W will donate $2 from each Teen Burger sold nationwide to MS Canada to assist individuals living with multiple sclerosis and contribute to research for treatments.
“My mom is one of 90,000 Canadians affected by MS, so supporting this cause holds personal significance for me and all Canadians,” Campbell stated. She aims to stand in solidarity with those battling MS, raise awareness, advocate for enhanced treatments, and ultimately strive for a cure.
Multiple sclerosis impacts the central nervous system, leading to diverse symptoms such as vision impairment, numbness, cognitive changes, and mood fluctuations. Despite facing invisible symptoms like head pain, leg stiffness, and sensitivity to temperature shifts, Janet Campbell has been able to lead a fulfilling life without significant hindrances from the disease.
Campbell attributes many of her qualities, including her strong work ethic, to her mother, which has propelled her successful hockey career. Having clinched gold at the 2022 Olympics and named the top goaltender in the PWHL, Campbell moved to Vancouver for the 2025-26 season, sharing goaltending duties with Emerance Maschmeyer.
Reflecting on the team’s inaugural season, Campbell expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic fan support that energized the games. Looking forward to the upcoming season, she aims to build on past achievements, increase fan engagement, and enhance the team’s performance.
After a break following Vancouver’s playoff miss in May, Campbell focused on coaching goalie camps and resumed her training regimen. With the new PWHL season set to kick off in November, featuring additional teams in San Jose, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Hamilton, Campbell anticipates an exciting evolution in the league’s growth and fan base.
The league’s expansion and increasing popularity underscore a remarkable transformation since Campbell’s debut in the PWHL in 2024. She emphasized the league’s progress, moving to larger venues and attracting more fans, showcasing the growing support and belief in women’s hockey.
Campbell is gearing up for the upcoming season, gradually intensifying her preparations mentally and physically as she anticipates the league’s continued success and expansion.
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