Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar is currently sidelined and recovering after a freak accident on the ice left him with facial injuries during a game, according to People. The incident took place at Ball Arena in Denver during a tough 3-2 overtime loss for the Avalanche against the Vegas Golden Knights. It is always tough to see a coach go down like that, especially during the intensity of a regular season game.
Video footage shared on social media shows the 54-year-old coach standing behind the Colorado bench when a puck deflected and flew over the protective boards. The puck struck him directly in the right cheek. In the clip, you can clearly see Bednar bend over and clutch the side of his head as the reality of the situation hits him. A trainer quickly stepped in to help him off the ice and into the locker room for immediate medical attention.
The team confirmed that Bednar was fully alert and conscious following the impact. He was transported to a local hospital for a CT scan and further evaluation to ensure there was no lasting damage. On Sunday morning, April 12, the organization provided an official update on X. They confirmed that Bednar suffered facial fractures and a corneal abrasion.
That puck really came out of nowhere, didn’t it
While these injuries are definitely painful and require recovery time, there is some good news. The team stated that he will not require surgery at this time and is expected to make a full recovery. Because of these injuries, Bednar will not be joining the team on their upcoming two-game road trip to Edmonton and Calgary. In his absence, assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will step up to run the bench.
It is a big responsibility for the assistants, but they are stepping into a role for a coach who has built quite a legacy in Denver. Bednar has been a staple of the Colorado organization since he was named head coach on August 25, 2016, following the sudden resignation of Patrick Roy. His start in Denver was incredibly challenging because he was hired so close to training camp. He had no time to implement his own systems or bring in his own staff, forcing him to work with the existing team.
The team struggled during those first few months, finishing the 2016-17 season with one of the worst records in league history. However, Bednar quickly turned things around. In his second season, he led the team to a massive 47-point improvement, guiding the squad back to the playoffs for the first time in four years. His coaching career has been marked by steady growth and success. Before his time in the NHL, he spent years grinding through the minor leagues.
He played professionally from 1989 to 2002 before transitioning to coaching. He started as an assistant for the Stingrays, eventually becoming their head coach and winning the Kelly Cup in 2009. He also had stints with the Abbotsford Heat and the Peoria Rivermen before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.
With the Springfield Falcons and later the Lake Erie Monsters, Bednar proved he could build a winning culture. He led the Lake Erie Monsters to a Calder Cup championship in 2016 before moving to the NHL. His crowning achievement came during the 2021-22 season when he led the Avalanche to their third Stanley Cup in franchise history. The team was dominant, winning 16 of their 20 playoff games and defeating the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bednar has since cemented his place in team history. By January 2023, he became the winningest coach in the history of the Colorado Avalanche and the Quebec Nordiques franchise, passing Michel Bergeron. He continues to be a vital part of the team’s identity, and fans are certainly hoping to see him back behind the bench as soon as he is healthy. After all, anything can happen during a live game; recently, a delivery took place at an NHL game, proving the league always catches everyone off guard.
For now, the focus remains on his recovery and getting him back to full strength after this unfortunate accident.
Published: Apr 13, 2026 03:15 pm