The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Monsters’ Bednar gets Avalanche head coaching job
Jared Bednar, it turns out, is a prophet. He just didn’t know how prophetic a simple statement would become.
Bednar, head coach for the Cleveland Monsters run to a 2016 Calder Cup championship, on Aug. 25 was named head coach of the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL by Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic. Bednar replaces Patrick Roy, who resigned Aug. 11 because he wanted more input in personnel decisions.
“My family and I are thrilled to be heading to Denver to begin this new challenge,” Bednar said in a statement. “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.
“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.”
The Monsters, the top farm team of the Blue Jackets, won the Calder Cup on June 11 on a dramatic goal by Oliver Bjorkstrand with 1.9 seconds to play in overtime in Game 4 for a fourgame sweep of the Hershey Bears. Three days later, a celebration rally was held on the plaza between The Q and Progressive Field.
Players were sitting in chairs on stage and there was Bednar, standing in front of the stage wearing blue jeans and a “Clash” rock-and-roll band T-shirt. He was asked why he wasn’t on stage with the others.
“My work here is done,” he said.
Bednar, 44, meant it was the players’ time to be in the spotlight. Earlier this summer he signed a two-year contract extension through 2018-19 to coach the Monsters, but this opportunity is too good to turn down.
“Jared Bednar is a terrific coach who has earned this opportunity through hard work and dedication and we appreciate all of his contributions to our organization,” Columbus Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager and Monsters General Manager Bill Zito in a statement. “With regards to the head coaching position with the Monsters, we will begin reviewing candidates immediately and expeditiously move the process forward.”
Roy’s resignation came unusually late. Hockey training camps begin in less than a month. The Monsters open the 2016-17 season at home Oct. 14 against the Rockford Ice Hogs.
Bednar was one of six candidates to formally interview for the Avalanche job, according to the Denver Post. The Monsters were 43-22-6-5 in 2015-16. They were 15-2 in the playoffs.
“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. “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.”
Bednar coached the Springfield Falcons, the Blue Jackets top affiliate in Cleveland before moving to Cleveland. The Falcons were 38-28-10.