After a stellar junior career with the London Knights, Campbell was selected first overall by the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association (WHA) in the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft, as well as ninth overall by the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 1977 NHL amateur draft.
He and Morris Lukowich were the two players protected by the Jets from the dispersal draft, showing the faith the team had in his abilities.
However, the cold weather in Winnipeg exacerbated a chronic asthma condition and he requested a trade after a season there.
The asthma condition ultimately forced him into retirement at the age of 25 after briefly also playing for the St. Louis Blues.
After retiring from professional hockey, Campbell became involved in harness racing and found success as a stable owner.