Jared Bednar, head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, has sustained facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after being struck in the face by a puck during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights. This injury will prevent him from traveling with the team for their upcoming two-game road trip.
Bednar was hit in the face while coaching from the bench, leading to immediate medical attention. He was taken to a local hospital for a CT scan, where it was confirmed that he would not require surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
In Bednar’s absence, assistants Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will take over coaching duties. Pratt commented on the situation, saying, “Certainly a little unnerving, right? It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there. It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight.”
The Avalanche, who have already secured the Presidents’ Trophy, faced the Golden Knights in a close match that ended in a 3-2 overtime loss. With the regular season concluding on April 16, the team will need to adapt quickly to the temporary coaching changes.
Brendan McNicholas, a member of the coaching staff, provided an update on Bednar’s condition, stating, “He took a puck to the right cheek. He’s fully alert, fully conscious.” This reassurance comes as the team prepares for the playoffs, where they will have home-ice advantage throughout.
As the Avalanche look to maintain their momentum without their head coach, the focus will be on how Pratt and Hakstol manage the team dynamics during this critical period. The coaching duo will need to ensure that the players remain focused and ready for the challenges ahead.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding Bednar’s exact timeline for recovery, but the Avalanche organization is optimistic about his return to the bench in the near future.
