DENVER -- The Colorado Avalanche have tapped Jared Bednar to fill the vacant head coach position, opened by Patrick Roy when he resigned abruptly last month.
Bednar is the seventh head coach in team history, and most recently guided the Columbus Blue Jackets' American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, to the 2016 Calder Cup as AHL champions last season.
In his 14 years of professional coaching, Bednar has served six as a head coach. Four of his six seasons as a head coach have been in the AHL.
The opportunity presented by General Manager and Executive Vice President Joe Sakic represents Bednar's first NHL head coaching opportunity.
"I feel ready for this role with the Avalanche and I am grateful for the trust that Josh Kroenke, Joe Sakic and the organization has shown me," Bednar said.
Bednar's head coaching record is reportedly part of the reason he was considered for the job. He boasts a 251-158-42, or .603 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," Sakic said.
Sakic branded Bednar as an up-and-coming coach, noting he won the interview process over key staffers already in the National Hockey League.
In his time as a professional hockey player, Bednar played nine seasons between two ECHL teams, two AHL teams and one IHL team.
The team will formally introduce Bednar next week.
BREAKING: The #Avs have hired Jared Bednar as the new head coach. pic.twitter.com/aFNk6FS8U7
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 25, 2016
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