DENVER – Six years ago Pro Hockey News’ Shaun Bill reported on Jared Bednar taking the bench boss duties for then American Hockey League franchise Peoria Rivermen.
At the time Bednar was still new to head coaching. Bednar spent two seasons guiding the Rivermen before moving on.
This past season Bednar was the head coach for the Lake Erie (now Cleveland) Monsters of the AHL as they waltzed to the Calder Cup Championship, losing two games in the post season.
On Thursday, the Colorado Avalanche named Bednar as the successor to Patrick Roy who resigned earlier this month.
“After profiling the type of coach I wanted for our team and going through an interview process with several good candidates, I believe that Jared Bednar is the best person to lead this team behind the bench,” General Manager Joe Sakic said in an Avalanche press release. “Jared’s track record of success as a head coach in the American Hockey League speaks for itself and he is considered to be one of the top up-and-coming coaches in our business.”
Roy’s resignation came as a surprise to the Avs organization and it left little time to make a quality pick. But in Bednar they found experience and success.
Bednar has six years of experience as a head coach and now has the opportunity to make a case in the NHL.
“My family and I are thrilled to be heading to Denver to begin this new challenge,” Bednar said in a press release. “I feel ready for this role with the Avalanche and I am grateful for the trust that (Avalanche President) Josh Kroenke, Joe (Sakic) and the organization has shown me. This is a great sports market with a passionate fan base and I can’t wait to get to work. I would also like to thank the Columbus Blue Jackets organization for the opportunity they gave me.”
Bednar has been successful at the ECHL level, winning the 2009 Kelly Cup with the South Carolina Stingrays in his second season.
Bednar, defenseman, played nine seasons as a pro.
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