Video of the incident shows Bednar leaning over and clutching his head
Credit: Derek Cain/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Jared Bednar, head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, was hospitalized after being hit in the face by a puck during a game in Denver on Saturday, April 11
- The team said he suffered facial fractures and a corneal abrasion, but will not need surgery
- Video of the incident shows Bednar bending over and holding his head after being struck on his right cheek
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was hospitalized after getting hit in the face with a hockey puck during a recent game.
The incident occurred during a 3-2 overtime loss against the Vegas Golden Knights at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 11, per ESPN.
Video of the incident uploaded on social media shows Bednar, 54, standing behind the Colorado bench when a puck flew over the boards, hitting him in the right cheek.
Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty
Bednar could then be seen bending over and clutching the side of his head.
He was helped to the locker room by a trainer, according to the Associated Press.
Bednar was fully alert and conscious following the incident and was taken to the hospital for a CT scan and evaluation, a team spokesperson said at the time, according to AP.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
The team posted an update regarding Bednar’s condition on X on Sunday morning, April 12, stating that Bednar “will not accompany the team on their upcoming two-game road trip due to facial fractures and a corneal abrasion.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“He will not require surgery at this time and is expected to make a full recovery,” the Avalanche added.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar will not accompany the team on their upcoming two-game road trip due to facial fractures and a corneal abrasion. He will not require surgery at this time and is expected to make a full recovery.
Avalanche assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and… pic.twitter.com/6VupeAD82E
— P – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 12, 2026
The team additionally said that assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will coach the team for the upcoming games in Edmonton and Calgary.
Bednar, originally from Yorkton, Canada, actively played in the minor leagues from 1989 to 2002 before coaching professionally, according to NHL.com.
He was announced as head coach of the Avs in 2016.
Read the full article here
