Jared Bednar is in his sixth season as the head coach for the Colorado Avalanche.

And he’s not leaving Denver any time soon.

Last week, the Avalanche announced that the team has signed Bednar to a two-year contract extension through the 2023-24 season.

“I am grateful and excited to have the opportunity to continue to lead this team and build upon what we have accomplished so far,” said Bednar. “We know we still have yet to achieve our ultimate goal, but we are confident in the group we have and will continue to work hard to get there. I’d like to thank (owners) Stan and Josh Kroenke, (GM) Joe Sakic, and the entire Avalanche organization for their continued faith in me. My family and I love Colorado and are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful community.”

Bednar owns a 193-154-40 career record, which includes a 169-98-36 (.617) mark and four straight playoff appearances since 2017-18. He is tied with Bob Hartley as the winningest coach in Avalanche history.

Overall, Bednar’s 193 wins trail only Michel Bergeron (265) in Quebec/Colorado franchise history. Bednar’s 385 games coached are the most in Avalanche history and second in franchise history behind only Bergeron (634).

Hired on Aug. 25, 2016, Bednar is the fifth-longest tenured coach in the NHL behind Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper (March 25, 2013), Winnipeg’s Paul Maurice (Jan. 12, 2014), Detroit’s Jeff Blashill (June 9, 2015) and Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan (Dec. 12, 2015). Bednar is the seventh head coach in Avalanche history and the 15th in the history of the franchise.

“Jared has established himself as one of the top coaches in the NHL,” said Sakic. “He is a great leader who has the complete trust of our players and staff. Under his guidance our team has continued to make great strides and improve every year. We know he is the right person to help us take that next step and compete for a Stanley Cup.”

The Avs have qualified for the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, which ranks as the third-longest run of postseason appearances in franchise history. Bednar has guided Colorado to a 24-18-1 record in 43 career postseason games, the second-best playoff winning percentage (.558) among active head coaches behind only Cooper (.603). The Avs have advanced to the second round in each of the past three postseasons.

Bednar, 49, led the Avalanche to the Presidents’ Trophy and Honda West Division championship during his fifth season behind the bench in 2020-21. Colorado’s first overall finish came just four years after finishing last overall in the standings during Bednar’s first season of 2016-17. The Avs became the first NHL team to go from worst to first in four seasons or less since the Bruins in 1970-71.

The 2020-21 Avalanche posted their highest points percentage in franchise history (.732), topping the 2000-01 team (.720), while Bednar’s .732 winning percentage was by far the best of any Colorado/Quebec coach in a single season.

The 2021-22 campaign marks Bednar’s 20th season of coaching professional hockey, 12 of which have been as a head coach. He posted a .603 winning percentage as a minor league head coach (251-158-23-19), winning championships at both the AHL and ECHL levels.

Originally signed to four-year contract with the Avalanche, Bednar agreed to a two-year extension on July 9, 2019.

Photo/Colorado Avalanche

(November 24, 2021)