Colorado Avalanche Coach Jared Bednar Hospitalized After Puck Incident

During a recent NHL game on Saturday night, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was hospitalized after being struck by a puck on his right cheek. The incident occurred during the Avalanche's 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The puck, which was shot by Knights defenseman Keegan Kolesar, flew over the boards and hit Bednar while he was positioned behind the Colorado bench with 16:39 remaining in the third period. Following the impact, Bednar bent over in pain and was escorted to the locker room by a trainer for further evaluation.

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A team spokesperson confirmed that Bednar was fully alert after the incident and was taken to the hospital for a CT scan and additional assessment. Assistant coach Dave Hakstol assumed Bednar's responsibilities for the remainder of the game. In a post-game statement, assistant coach Nolan Pratt expressed concern about the incident, stating, "It's certainly a little unnerving. It's scary when the pucks are flying in there."

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The Avalanche, who recently clinched the top overall seed in the NHL with 115 points, are scheduled to travel to Edmonton for a two-game road trip starting Sunday. As of now, it remains uncertain whether Bednar will accompany the team during this trip. Additionally, the team faced another setback as defenseman Josh Manson sustained an upper-body injury late in the second period of the same game, with Pratt indicating that Manson is also undergoing evaluation.

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The incident has reignited discussions regarding player and coach safety in the NHL. Critics argue that the league should implement stricter measures to protect coaches and players from similar occurrences, as pucks frequently leave the playing area during games. Pratt's comments highlight the ongoing concern among coaching staff regarding the risks associated with being near the ice during play.

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Following the incident, the Colorado Avalanche organization has not released further details regarding Bednar's condition. However, the team's commitment to player and staff safety remains a priority, as indicated by their immediate response to the situation.

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As the Avalanche prepare for their upcoming games, the focus will be on monitoring Bednar's recovery and determining his availability for future matches. The team will likely provide updates on his health status in the coming days.

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• "It's certainly a little unnerving. It's scary when the pucks are flying in there." — Nolan Pratt, Assistant Coach

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