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Avalanche tap minor league coach Bednar as club’s 7th head coach

Aug 25, 2016, 11:56 AM

The Colorado Avalanche tapped minor league coach Jared Bednar as the replacement for Patrick Roy behind the bench, the team announced Thursday.

Bednar, who last coached the Columbus Blue Jackets’ American Hockey League affiliate Lake Erie Monsters, becomes the franchise’s seventh head coach following Roy’s departure 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,” said Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic in a 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.”

The hire comes just weeks Roy’s sudden resignation on Aug. 11 after three years as Colorado’s top coach and president of hockey operations.

Sakic said at the time, “We appreciate all (Roy) has done for our organization and wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Bednar, 44, and the Monsters captured the Calder Cup in 2015-16 as the AHL’s champions. In his six seasons as a head coach, two in the ECHL and four in the AHL, Bednard earned a .603 winning percentage, going 251-158-42.

“My family and I are thrilled to be heading to Denver to begin this new challenge,” Bednar said in a 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 Columbus Blue Jackets organization for the opportunity they gave me.”

Follow 104.3 The Fan digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.

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