Avalanche name Jared Bednar head coach
Jared Bednar is the new head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, the team announced Thursday.
Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic confirmed on a conference call that Bednar agreed to a three-year deal.
The 44-year-old was previously the head coach of the AHL's Cleveland Monsters, winning the Calder Cup last season and finishing the regular season with a 43-22-11 record.
"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," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic told the team's official website.
"Jared’s track record of success as a head coach in the AHL speaks for itself and he is considered to be one of the top up-and-coming coaches in our business."
Bednar added, "My family and I are thrilled to be heading to Denver to begin this new challenge. 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."
The Avalanche kicked off their coaching search a few weeks ago following the surprising resignation of former bench boss Patrick Roy.
Bednar becomes the seventh head coach in franchise history. He'll be formally introduced at a press conference next week.