Vancouver Goldeneyes goalie Kristen Campbell has always looked up to her mother. Like many parents of young hockey players, Janet Campbell dedicated numerous hours at cold rinks, shuttling kids to practices, and passionately supporting every move from the stands. Amid Kristen’s on-ice battles, Janet was fighting her own war against multiple sclerosis, a diagnosis she received in 1999 when Kristen was just a toddler.
Kristen shared, “Growing up watching my mom navigate the challenges of the disease has been truly inspiring. Despite her own battle, she prioritized her family and always showed up for my hockey practices, games, and tournaments without fail. She is not only my best friend but also my ultimate role model in life.”
Hailing from Brandon, Manitoba, Campbell is now spotlighting 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, aiming to aid individuals coping with the disease and advance treatment research.
“My mom is just one of 90,000 Canadians living with MS, so supporting this cause is deeply personal to me and to many Canadians,” Campbell emphasized. “I want to stand by those battling MS, raise awareness, promote research for better treatments, and hopefully, one day, find a cure.”
MS impacts the central nervous system, triggering a spectrum of symptoms from vision impairment to sensory changes and cognitive shifts. Most of Janet Campbell’s symptoms, though, remain hidden, including headaches, leg stiffness, and sensitivity to temperature.
Kristen Campbell noted, “My mom has been fortunate to lead a fulfilling life despite her symptoms not hindering her significantly. Many are surprised to learn about her MS because she carries herself so well. Every individual and family face MS differently, and we feel fortunate that my mom’s condition has not deteriorated.”
Campbell attributes many of her characteristics, such as her strong work ethic, to her mother, which has propelled her career as a successful 28-year-old goaltender. She was part of the gold-winning Canadian team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, excelled with Toronto in the PWHL, and earned recognition as the league’s top goalie in the 2024 season.
Transitioning to the Vancouver Goldeneyes for the 2025-26 season, Campbell shared time in the crease with Emerance Maschmeyer, maintaining a .913 save percentage and a 2.17 goals-against average over 13 games. Playing for the league’s inaugural expansion team was a remarkable experience for Campbell due to the overwhelming fan support and energy.
After a playoff miss in May, Campbell took a break before diving back into coaching, hosting goalie camps, and resuming her training regimen. As she gears up for the upcoming season starting in November, Campbell emphasized the intentional mental and physical preparation required at this stage of her career.
The upcoming PWHL season will see new teams in San Jose, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Hamilton, marking a significant evolution from the league’s early days. Campbell expressed excitement about the league’s growth, from its humble beginnings to now playing in NHL venues and garnering immense fan support, emphasizing the bright future ahead.