The Belleville Senators have officially removed the interim tag from Andrew Campbell's coaching title, announcing Monday that he has signed a three-year contract to become the fourth head coach in franchise history. Campbell, 38, first joined the Ottawa Senators' American Hockey League affiliate as an assistant coach in the summer of 2024, then took over head coaching duties in December after David Bell was fired.
Campbell's Coaching Journey
Campbell, a former defenceman who played 42 NHL games and 719 in the AHL before retiring in 2019, began his coaching career in 2021 as an assistant coach with the Ontario Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs. There, he worked under general manager Steve Staios and owner Michael Andlauer, both now with the Ottawa Senators organization.
“Andrew has demonstrated every quality we’re looking for in a head coach, and we’re thrilled to have him lead our group,” Belleville general manager Matt Turek said in a news release. “Since joining our organization, he’s earned the respect of our players and staff through his leadership, preparation and ability to build a culture centred on accountability, professionalism and daily improvement.”
Interim Performance and Team Impact
After taking over behind the bench on Dec. 17, Campbell led Belleville to a 17-21-6 record, finishing last in the North Division and seven points out of the final playoff spot. Despite the record, the organization praised his influence on player development, particularly with top prospect Carter Yakemchuk.
Yakemchuk, a high-profile defenceman, posted 40 points (10 goals, 30 assists) in 54 games but also recorded a minus-31 rating, the second-worst in the AHL. Campbell worked closely with him on defensive details. “In junior, you get away with a lot of stuff because he probably had the puck on his stick most of the game,” Campbell told the Ottawa Citizen in January. “Just focusing on those details, spending a lot of time on boxouts, the stick detail and body positioning. Because once he has the puck on his stick, he’s special, right? … The less you have to defend, the better, but he’s taking huge strides.”
Personal Connection to the Community
Campbell, a native of Caledonia, Ontario, expressed excitement about staying in the Belleville area. “I’m ecstatic to be back with the Senators,” he said in the same press release. “And it’s a great honour to be able to continue coaching in the Bay of Quinte community. We have a young family, and this is a great place to raise kids and set some roots, plus my hometown is only a few hours away, so we can stay connected with my family as well.”
He added, “I’m just really excited to get going. I take tremendous pride in getting this team to where it wants to be.”
