Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar signs extension through '26-27
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has signed a three-year extension that will keep him in charge of the reigning Stanley Cup champions through the 2026-27 season.
The new deal for the winningest head coach in club history kicks in once the current contract runs out after the 2023-24 season.
Bednar, 51, is the only person to win championships in the ECHL, AHL and NHL as head coach. He directed the Avalanche to their third Stanley Cup title in team history last season by beating Tampa Bay, the two-time defending champions.
This season, the Avalanche have dealt with an array of injuries, which include missing captain Gabriel Landeskog all year after he underwent knee surgery in October. But they're starting to creep closer to being healthy — and working their way up the standings. Colorado is riding a six-game winning streak to remain in a tight race with Dallas and Minnesota for the Central Division crown. The top spot in the Western Conference is in play, too.
"Jared has done a tremendous job behind the bench and certainly deserves this extension and to continue as the leader of our team," Joe Sakic, the team's president of hockey operations, said in a statement.
It wasn't the prettiest of starts for Bednar in his inaugural season for Colorado. In 2016-17, his team amassed only 48 points (22-56-4) to finish last in the league. Since then, it's been full steam ahead for Bednar and the Avalanche. They became the first NHL squad to go from worst to first in a span of four seasons or less since the 1970-71 Bruins, according to research by the team.
In addition, Bednar has led the Avalanche to five straight playoff appearances — and is closing in on a sixth — to become the first Avalanche coach to accomplish the feat. His 40 postseason wins are the second-most in team history, trailing only Bob Hartley (49).
"His strength as a communicator, his relationship with the players, the way he prepares each and every day is a huge reason our team has been so successful," general manager Chris MacFarland said. "He is an exceptional leader."
Bednar is currently the third-longest tenured coach in the league, behind only Tampa Bay's Jon Cooper (March 2013) and Pittsburgh's Mike Sullivan (December 2015).
"Being able to lead this team over the last seven years has been a privilege," said Bednar, whose team faces the Penguins on Wednesday. "I am grateful and excited to have the opportunity to continue building on what we've accomplished so far."
Bednar captured a Kelly Cup (ECHL) with the South Carolina Stingrays in 2009, along with a Calder Cup (AHL) with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2016.
By PAT GRAHAM, AP Sports Writer
