Biography
Jared Bednar, born on February 28, 1972, in Kamloops, British Columbia, is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player. He played the majority of his professional career in the minor leagues, including stints in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the International Hockey League (IHL), where he was known as a reliable defenseman. Bednar's playing career peaked with the South Carolina Stingrays, where he won the ECHL championship in 1997.
Following his playing career, Bednar transitioned into coaching, starting with junior hockey and eventually advancing through various assistant coaching positions. He gained prominence as head coach of the Lake Erie Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL), leading the team to a Calder Cup championship in 2016. His success in the AHL led to his appointment as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche in 2016, where he has continued to shape the team's competitive spirit and tactical approach.
Under Bednar's leadership, the Colorado Avalanche captured the Stanley Cup in 2022, marking the franchise's first championship since 2001. His coaching philosophy emphasizes a strong team-focused mentality and has earned him respect within the NHL community. Bednar's contributions to the game of ice hockey, both as a player and a coach, have left a lasting impact, solidifying his legacy in the sport.