Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar will miss the team’s final road trip of the regular season after sustaining facial fractures and a corneal abrasion from a puck striking him during Saturday’s game. 1 2 The incident occurred in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at Ball Arena, leaving fans and players stunned. 3 Fortunately, the team announced that Bednar is expected to make a full recovery without surgery.
Assistants Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will take over coaching duties for the games against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. This comes at a time when the Avalanche have already clinched the Presidents’ Trophy with 115 points, securing the NHL’s best record and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. 4
How the incident unfolded
The puck flew off the stick of Golden Knights defenseman Keegan Kolesar with 16:39 remaining in the third period. Bednar, standing behind the bench, took it directly to his right cheek. He immediately bent over, clutching his head, and was assisted to the locker room by a trainer. 5
Hakstol assumed Bednar’s responsibilities for the rest of the game, which saw Vegas pull ahead in overtime thanks to Jack Eichel’s goal. The Avalanche had tied it earlier with goals from Nick Blankenburg and Devon Toews, but couldn’t hold on. 3
Video clips circulating online captured the scary moment, showing the puck sailing over the boards unexpectedly. Fans on social media expressed concern, with many sharing alternate angles of the impact. 6
Pratt reflected post-game on the dangers of bench proximity to play. “It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” he said. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.” 2
Such incidents, while rare for coaches, highlight the unpredictable nature of hockey. Past examples include players like Brendan Shanahan taking pucks to the face, but coaches are somewhat protected behind glass—yet not immune.
The Avalanche organization quickly confirmed Bednar was alert and conscious at the arena before heading to the hospital for scans.
Medical update and coaching staff steps up
On Sunday, the team provided the latest: facial fractures and a corneal abrasion, but no surgery needed and full recovery anticipated. Bednar won’t join the western Canada trip, prioritizing healing ahead of the playoffs starting next weekend. 2
Pratt and Hakstol bring experience to the bench. Pratt has been with Colorado since 2021, contributing to their Stanley Cup run, while Hakstol, a former head coach in Philadelphia and Seattle, adds veteran insight.
This isn’t the first time assistants have filled in seamlessly for the Avs. Their depth has been a hallmark of Bednar’s tenure since 2016.
Bednar’s leadership has guided the team to a franchise-record pace this year. Missing him briefly tests the staff’s readiness.
Players like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have thrived under his system, and the group knows the playbook inside out.
Avalanche’s dominant regular season
With 115 points, Colorado locked up the top seed Thursday against Calgary. They boast 52 wins, tying a franchise mark, and could hit 120 points—the first time ever. 4
MacKinnon’s 52 goals lead the charge, supported by stars like Gabriel Landeskog. Even without key players like Nazem Kadri and Cale Makar in spots, they’ve excelled.
Key stats underline their supremacy:
- Points: 115 (top in NHL)
- Wins: 52 (tied franchise record)
- Goals for: Leading the league
- Presidents’ Trophies: Fourth in franchise history
This positions them perfectly for postseason success, mirroring their 2022 Cup win.
Rivals like Edmonton loom, but home ice throughout gives a clear edge.
Other injury concerns for Colorado
Defenseman Josh Manson exited late in the second period with an upper-body injury. Pratt noted he’s under evaluation, with status pending Sunday. 2
The Avs have managed a banged-up roster all season, with Kadri (finger) and Makar (upper body) also sidelined recently.
Injury report snapshot:
- Josh Manson: Upper body, day-to-day
- Nazem Kadri: Finger, out until mid-April
- Cale Makar: Upper body, expected back soon
Resilience defines this squad, turning adversity into fuel.
Their depth chart remains strong, with call-ups ready if needed.
Playoff implications and road ahead
The final two games offer tune-up chances under interim coaches. Wins could push points higher, but seeding is set.
Playoffs begin next weekend, with Colorado hosting the first round. Bednar’s expected return timeline aligns with that, barring setbacks.
Fans await updates, but the core message is optimism. A healthy Bednar on the bench would boost morale immensely.
This scare underscores hockey’s risks, even for sidelines personnel. Protective measures like higher glass have helped, but vigilance persists.
In the end, the Avalanche’s championship pedigree shines through. Bednar’s full recovery bodes well for another deep run—what it means for the Cup chase is they’ll enter as favorites, staff united and focused. 4
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.