Jack Campbell, born on January 9, 1992, in Port Huron, Michigan, has faced a career of highs and lows, marked by immense potential and significant challenges. Drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Campbell was the first goalie selected that year, a testament to his outstanding performances with the U.S. National Team Development Program. He set franchise records for the lowest goals-against average and most shutouts and earned gold medals at the IIHF World U18 Championships in 2009 and 2010.
Despite the initial promise, Campbell's journey to becoming a consistent NHL starter was far from straightforward. He spent several seasons in the Dallas Stars organization, primarily playing in the American Hockey League (AHL). His NHL debut with Dallas came on October 20, 2013, in a 6-3 loss against the Anaheim Ducks. After struggling to find a permanent spot with the Stars, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on June 25, 2016.
In Los Angeles, Campbell served as a backup, initially playing with the Ontario Reign in the AHL. On February 27, 2018, he earned his first NHL win, making 41 saves in a 4-1 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights, marking his first NHL start since October 2013. During his time with the Kings, he posted a 2-0-2 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in five games.
Campbell's career took a significant turn on February 5, 2020, when he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. In Toronto, he finally found an opportunity to showcase his abilities as a starting goalie. During the 2021-22 season, Campbell had a stellar performance, going 31-9-6 with a 2.64 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage, and five shutouts in 49 regular-season games. His outstanding play earned him his first NHL All-Star Game selection in 2022.
However, Campbell's success in Toronto was followed by a challenging chapter with the Edmonton Oilers. On July 13, 2022, he signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Oilers. Despite high expectations, his performance struggled, with a .888 save percentage in his first season. The following season, his struggles continued, leading the Oilers to place him on waivers on November 7, 2023, and subsequently assign him to the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL.
After a tumultuous stint with the Oilers, Campbell's career took another turn when he signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1, 2024. The Oilers placed Campbell on unconditional waivers on June 30 for the purpose of a buyout.
Throughout his NHL career, Jack Campbell has demonstrated resilience and determination. He has played 176 career games, achieving 93 wins with a .909 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average. His journey has been a testament to his perseverance, navigating through periods of uncertainty and intense competition to prove his worth as a top-level goaltender.
