Bednar was previously the head coach of the Avalanche’s former AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. He coached the Monsters to the Calder Cup title this past season. It was his first year with Lake Erie, but second as head coach of the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate.
Bednar is the classic example of a guy who has paid his dues and worked his way up the ranks. He started out in the ECHL as an assistant coach with the South Carolina Stingrays. After 5 seasons he took over as head coach making a deep postseason run, and winning the championship in his second year.