Jared Bednar will remain behind the Colorado Avalanche bench through the 2030-31 season after signing a four-year extension Wednesday, giving the club long-term continuity with the coach who delivered its most recent Stanley Cup.
Bednar, 54, was headed into the final year of the three-year agreement he signed on March 21, 2023. Instead, Colorado has locked up the winningest coach in franchise history as the Avalanche open another season with championship expectations.
“I’m extremely happy and grateful to continue leading this group,” Bednar said. “My family and I have loved being a part of this organization from the beginning, and I can’t thank the Kroenke family and Joe Sakic enough for their support. I look forward to working hard each day this season and beyond to accomplish our goal of winning another Stanley Cup.”
Bednar’s Colorado record
Now entering his 11th season in Denver, Bednar has posted a 445-262-75 regular-season record in 782 games. He also owns a 60-40-1 mark in 101 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
His run includes Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship, the first for the franchise since 2001. The Avalanche have reached the postseason in every season of Bednar’s tenure except 2016-17, his first year on the job.
Colorado finished atop the NHL standings last season, claiming the Presidents’ Trophy with 121 points and a 55-16-11 record. Its playoff push ended in the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Bednar is also the only head coach to capture championships in the ECHL, AHL and NHL. He won the ECHL title with South Carolina in 2009, guided Lake Erie to the AHL championship in 2016, then reached the NHL summit with Colorado six years later.
Continuity behind the bench
Only Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, who took over in March 2013, has served longer with his current NHL club than Bednar.
“Jared has done an outstanding job over the last decade, and there’s no doubt in my mind he’s the best coach for this group,” Avalanche president of hockey operations and general manager Joe Sakic said. “He commands the room and has complete confidence of the players. We’re excited to continue to have him in charge, and we believe that his presence maximizes the team’s potential while this core group is intact.”
The Avalanche begin their 2026-27 schedule Wednesday at home against the Los Angeles Kings. Puck drop is set for 10 p.m. ET, with HBO Max, truTV and TNT carrying the game.
