Vancouver Goldeneyes goaltender Kristen Campbell has always looked up to her mother. Like many parents of hockey players, Janet Campbell dedicated numerous hours in cold arenas, shuttling children to and from endless practices, and enthusiastically supporting every move made on the ice. While Kristen faced challenges on the rink, Janet battled multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition she was diagnosed with in 1999 when Kristen was just a toddler.
Kristen admires her mother’s resilience in dealing with the disease and the hurdles it brings. Despite her own struggles, Janet consistently prioritized her family, attending every hockey practice, game, and tournament that Kristen participated in. Kristen describes her mother as her best friend and the ultimate role model in her 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 the condition and advance research for better treatments.
“My mom is one of the 90,000 Canadians living with MS, so supporting this cause is deeply personal for me and all Canadians,” Campbell expressed. “I aim to stand by those battling MS, raise awareness, promote research for treatments, and ultimately strive for a cure.”
MS impacts the central nervous system, leading to various symptoms such as vision impairment, numbness, cognitive changes, and mood fluctuations. Despite experiencing mostly hidden symptoms like headaches, leg stiffness, and sensitivity to temperature changes, Janet Campbell has managed to lead a fulfilling life without being significantly hindered by the effects of the disease.
Kristen attributes many of her qualities, including her strong work ethic, to her mother, traits that have propelled her successful career as a 28-year-old goaltender. From winning gold at the 2022 Olympics to being named the top goaltender in the PWHL’s 2024 season while playing for Toronto, Campbell’s achievements speak volumes. Joining the Goldeneyes for the 2025-26 season, she shared the net with Emerance Maschmeyer and delivered stellar performances.
Reflecting on her inaugural season with the Goldeneyes, Campbell expressed gratitude for the passionate fan support and the energy they brought to the games. Looking ahead, she is focused on improving the team’s performance and expanding their fan base.
Following Vancouver’s playoff miss in May, Campbell took a break before diving back into coaching, organizing goalie camps, and resuming her training regimen. As she prepares for the upcoming season, Campbell emphasized the intentional mental and physical preparation required at this stage of her career.
The upcoming PWHL season, commencing in November, will witness notable changes with new teams in San Jose, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Hamilton. Campbell highlighted the league’s growth from its early days to the present, emphasizing the fan support that has propelled the PWHL to new heights.
With anticipation for the future, Campbell is eager to witness the continued evolution and success of the league.