The Avalanche have hired Jared Bednar as the seventh coach in the team's history in Denver, replacing Patrick Roy.
Kevin Dineen, head coach of the Panthers from 2011-13, and Bob Boughner were among the other reported finalists. Bednar, who coached the 2015-16 AHL champs, was the choice.
“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,” executive VP and GM Joe Sakic said in a statement. “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.”
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Bednar, 44, steps in for Roy, who abruptly resigned this summer, citing philosophical differences with longtime friend and teammate Sakic. Roy was 130-92-24 in three seasons with the Avs but missed the playoffs the past two seasons.
Bednar led the Lake Erie Monsters, a Blue Jackets affiliate, to the 2016 Calder Cup as champions of the AHL.
The 2015-16 season marked Bednar’s 14th as a coach, his sixth as a head coach and fourth as a head coach in the AHL. He is 251-158-42 (.603), which includes two seasons in the ECHL.
“I feel ready for this role with the Avalanche and I am grateful for the trust that (Avalanche president) Josh Kroenke, Joe and the organization has shown me," Bednar said in a statement.
Bednar played professionally for nine seasons as a defenseman but never higher than the AHL.
