Colorado Avalanche hire Jared Bednar as new coach

The Colorado Avalanche on Thursday named Jared Bednar as the team's new head coach.

Bednar will succeed Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, who unexpectedly resigned as Colorado's coach and vice president of hockey operations two weeks ago.

The 44-year-old Bednar is coming off a successful second season as the coach of the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League, guiding the affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Calder Cup championship.

"... I believe that Jared Bednar is the best person to lead this team behind the bench," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in a statement released by the team. "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 has 14 seasons of coaching experience, posting a 251-158-42 record in six years as a head coach in the AHL and ECHL.

"My family and I are thrilled to be heading to Denver to begin this new challenge," said Bednar, who spent nine seasons in the minors as a player. "This is a great sports market with a passionate fan base and I can't wait to get to work."

The Avalanche went 130-92-24 in three seasons under Roy, winning the NHL Central Division title in his first campaign in 2013-14.