Avalanche name Jared Bednar next head coach

The Colorado Avalanche tapped Jared Bednar as the franchise’s new head coach on Thursday, a move that comes two weeks after Patrick Roy unexpectedly resigned.

Bednar, 44, enters the job with no experience on the NHL level, either as a player or coach. He had success in the AHL, leading the Lake Erie Monsters to their first Calder Cup title in June. Bednar had served as the head coach of the Monsters and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ previous AHL affiliate the past two seasons. He was considered among the best up-and-coming coaches -- in the mold of Jon Cooper before he rose to the NHL level with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“Even though we had to accelerate the process with training camp approaching, we feel we met some real strong candidates with a lot of potential to become head coaches in the NHL in the near future,” Joe Sakic, the Avs’ executive vice president and general manager, said in a statement. “I would like to thank the general managers who gave us permission to talk to key staff members at such a precarious time.”

The vacancy was created just weeks before training camps are set to open. In Roy's resignation announcement, he hinted about tumult with the team’s upper management.

Roy led Colorado to two Stanley Cup titles as a goalie and had served as head coach the last three seasons, compiling a record of 130-92-24.

Bednar played nine seasons of pro hockey, all in the minors.

“My family and I are thrilled to be heading to Denver to begin this new challenge,”  Bednar said in a statement. “I feel ready for this role with the Avalanche and I am grateful for the trust that (Avalanche President) Josh Kroenke, Joe (Sakic) and the organization has shown me. This is a great sports market with a passionate fan base and I can’t wait to get to work. I would also like to thank Columbus Blue Jackets organization for the opportunity they gave me.”