Today marks a bitter sweet day for Monsters hockey, as the club announced that head coach Jared Bednar will be leaving to accept the head coach position with the Colorado Avalanche. Monsters faithful are glad to see Bednars’ success rewarded with a shot in the NHL, but wonder what impact his absence will have on the team’s 2016-2017 season and beyond.
From the Q: “Jared Bednar is a terrific coach who has earned this opportunity through hard work and dedication and we appreciate all of his contributions to our organization,” said Columbus Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager and Monsters General Manager Bill Zito on Thursday. “With regards to the head coaching position with the Monsters, we will begin reviewing candidates immediately and expeditiously move the process forward.”
The story was first reported by Darren Dreger in a tweet early Thursday. The Monsters front office confirmed the move this afternoon.
It is worth pointing out that Bednar will be reunited in Colorado with former Monsters assistant coach Nolan Pratt, who was hired as an assistant coach with the Avalanche earlier this offseason after helping Bednar guide the Monsters to an AHL title. Zito intends to move quickly on the coaching search, with the start of the new season a short 6 weeks away.