By Andrew Allsman| Posted: June 12th, 2012| Contact |
Peoria general manager, Kevin McDonald announced today that the Blues have decided against exercising Jared Bednar’s option, ultimately firing him.
Peoria general manager, Kevin McDonald announced today that the Blues have decided against exercising Jared Bednar’s option, ultimately firing him.
"I want to
thank Jared for his dedication and passion for our organization and the
game of hockey," said McDonald. "He deserves tremendous credit for developing our young
players over the past two seasons
and we sincerely wish him the best in the future."
Bednar,
40, has coached the past two seasons in Peoria accumulating a record of 81-63-5-7
(0.557%). He led the Rivermen to the 2011
Calder Cup (AHL) playoffs in his first season as their head coach, but they
were defeated in the first round. Bednar
is coming off of a season that held a 39-33-2-2 record, but was without a 2012 playoff
berth. He was the Rivermen's 17th head coach in the team's history, and the fifth coach since the Rivermen joined the American Hockey League on June 15, 2010.
The move comes as a shock to most as it was believed Bednar's option would be picked up and he would be kept on board for a third season.
"I'm not sure what happened. All indications were I was staying," said Bednar. "I'm so disappointed I can't describe it."
Bednar made a name for himself, and was very well respected by players, and coaches alike. His two year term as head coach was plagued by injuries and call-ups, but American Hockey League coaches take the job knowing that they are inferior to their parent club, which likely contributes to the large amount of AHL head coaches that are fired.
Reaction from Rivermen players suggest that they believe their lack of success, both as a team and as individual players, led to Bednar's exit, however, the suddenness comes as a surprise to most.
"Shocking, he was an awesome coach." said Blues' defensive prospect Cade Fairchild. "I'm speechless. We didn't expect this at all."
This move comes in the wake of several other figures leaving the Blues organization, but the reasoning behind Bednar's dismissal is unclear at this point.
As Dave Eminian points out, Bednar was not released to cut costs. He held a position of the utmost importance, helping to develop and prepare prospects for the NHL.
The suddenness of the decision indicates the Blues likely have someone ready to replace Bednar in the near future. It is likely however, that the replacement is someone Blues' head coach Ken Hitchcock is familiar with, leading to good communication and understanding between the NHL and AHL clubs.
Sources indicate to Dave Eminian that the replacement will not be from within the Blues organization, and it is believed we will know who the replacement is before the NHL draft, which takes place June 22-23.
Whether the Blues just wanted to go in a different direction, or they had an unknown problem with Bednar remains to be seen, but it appears that change is taking place at all levels of the Blues organization this summer as the Blues look to continue to put a winning product on the ice not only in the NHL, but at the AHL level as well.
I will update this post with rumored replacement candidates and reasons as to why this move was made when/if more information comes to light......
The move comes as a shock to most as it was believed Bednar's option would be picked up and he would be kept on board for a third season.
"I'm not sure what happened. All indications were I was staying," said Bednar. "I'm so disappointed I can't describe it."
Bednar made a name for himself, and was very well respected by players, and coaches alike. His two year term as head coach was plagued by injuries and call-ups, but American Hockey League coaches take the job knowing that they are inferior to their parent club, which likely contributes to the large amount of AHL head coaches that are fired.
Reaction from Rivermen players suggest that they believe their lack of success, both as a team and as individual players, led to Bednar's exit, however, the suddenness comes as a surprise to most.
"Shocking, he was an awesome coach." said Blues' defensive prospect Cade Fairchild. "I'm speechless. We didn't expect this at all."
This move comes in the wake of several other figures leaving the Blues organization, but the reasoning behind Bednar's dismissal is unclear at this point.
As Dave Eminian points out, Bednar was not released to cut costs. He held a position of the utmost importance, helping to develop and prepare prospects for the NHL.
The suddenness of the decision indicates the Blues likely have someone ready to replace Bednar in the near future. It is likely however, that the replacement is someone Blues' head coach Ken Hitchcock is familiar with, leading to good communication and understanding between the NHL and AHL clubs.
Sources indicate to Dave Eminian that the replacement will not be from within the Blues organization, and it is believed we will know who the replacement is before the NHL draft, which takes place June 22-23.
Whether the Blues just wanted to go in a different direction, or they had an unknown problem with Bednar remains to be seen, but it appears that change is taking place at all levels of the Blues organization this summer as the Blues look to continue to put a winning product on the ice not only in the NHL, but at the AHL level as well.
I will update this post with rumored replacement candidates and reasons as to why this move was made when/if more information comes to light......