Jared Bednar lands four-year contract extension with Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche are doubling down on stability behind the bench. The team announced Wednesday that it has agreed to a four-year contract extension with head coach Jared Bednar, already the winningest coach in franchise history.

Bednar, 54, is heading into his 11th season running the Avalanche bench. Over 782 regular-season games, he has compiled a record of 445 wins, 262 regulation losses and 75 overtime or shootout defeats, good for a .617 points percentage.

A sustained playoff run and elite coaching record

Since Bednar took over, Colorado has qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in every season but his first in 2016-17. In the post-season, his teams have gone 60-40-1 across 101 games, a .594 winning percentage that ranks sixth all-time among NHL coaches with at least 50 playoff games.

He is one of just 13 coaches in league history to guide a team to nine consecutive playoff appearances, underscoring the consistency the Avalanche have found under his leadership. His tenure also makes him the NHL’s second-longest-serving active head coach, trailing only Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Avalanche president of hockey operations and general manager Joe Sakic praised Bednar’s impact, highlighting the control he has in the room and the trust he enjoys from his players. The club clearly views him as the right figure to steer its current core through its competitive window.

Cup, Presidents’ Trophies and a long-term bet on continuity

The Yorkton, Sask., native has overseen the most successful stretch of the Avalanche’s recent history. Under his guidance, Colorado captured the Stanley Cup in 2021-22 and secured the Presidents’ Trophy twice, first in 2020-21 and again last season.

Bednar expressed gratitude for the opportunity to keep leading the team, noting how much his family has enjoyed being part of the organization and emphasizing his commitment to working toward another championship. He pointed to the support of ownership and Sakic as central to his decision to stay.

By locking up its coach for four more years, Colorado cements continuity around a roster still built to contend. The extension signals the organization’s belief that Bednar’s presence behind the bench remains a key factor in maximizing the potential of a core that has already delivered a Stanley Cup and multiple dominant regular seasons.