Avalanche Hire Jared Bendar as Coach

By ESPN

Colorado has hired Jared Bednar, former coach of the American Hockey League champion Lake Erie Monsters, to replace Patrick Roy as coach of the Avalanche, the team announced Thursday.

Bednar, who has no NHL playing or coaching experience, signed a three-year contract with the Avalanche.

Roy, the Hall of Fame goaltender, abruptly quit as Avalanche coach and vice president of hockey operations two weeks ago, sending the team on a late-summer quest to fill the vacancy. Roy cited a disconnect between himself and management over his roles.

Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic called Bednar "one of the top up-and-coming coaches in our business" and said he fit the profile he wanted after going through the interview process.

"We knew we were in a rush situation, but I wanted to do what I thought was the best thing for the franchise," Sakic said on a conference call Thursday. "I look at the track record, and I place a lot of value in winning championships. I know Jared's won in the [ECHL], and he just won a Calder Cup. It's tough to win in any league, and to be able to win, you've got to be doing something right."