Jared Bednar, head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, is sidelined following a serious incident during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Bednar suffered facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after being struck in the face by a deflected puck. This injury will prevent him from traveling with the team for their upcoming two-game road trip.
The incident occurred when a puck shot by Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar errantly flew into the Avalanche bench, hitting Bednar directly in the right cheek. He was escorted down the tunnel shortly after the hit and did not return for the remainder of the game, which the Avalanche lost 3-2.
Fortunately, Bednar will not require surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. His absence will be felt as the Avalanche prepare to face the Edmonton Oilers on Monday and the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. In his stead, assistants Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will take over coaching duties.
Brendan McNicholas, a member of the coaching staff, confirmed that Bednar was “fully alert, fully conscious” after the incident, alleviating some concerns about the severity of his condition. Nolan Pratt also remarked on the unnerving nature of such incidents, stating, “It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there. It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight.”
The Avalanche have already clinched the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s best regular-season team this year, which adds to the stakes of maintaining their performance during Bednar’s absence. The team will look to continue their success without their head coach on the bench.
As the situation develops, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Avalanche adapt to this sudden change in leadership. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timeline for Bednar’s return, but the organization is optimistic about his recovery.