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 recent 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 and was subsequently taken to a local hospital for a CT scan. Fortunately, he will not require surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. Brendan McNicholas, a member of the Avalanche staff, confirmed that Bednar is “fully alert, fully conscious” following the incident.
In Bednar’s absence, assistants Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will take over coaching duties. Pratt commented on the situation, stating, “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’s recent game ended in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights, but the team has already secured the Presidents’ Trophy, ensuring home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. The last regular season game is scheduled for April 16, and the team will look to maintain their momentum despite Bednar’s absence.
As the Avalanche prepare for their next matches, the focus will be on how well Pratt and Hakstol can guide the team without their head coach. The impact of Bednar’s injury on team dynamics and performance remains to be seen.
