Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was taken to the hospital after being hit in the face with a flying hockey puck in a recent game.
Bednar was hit in the right cheek as a puck flew over the boards during an overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.
Video shows the moment when Bednar was struck by the flying object, leading to him bending over and clutching the side of his head.
Trainers took him to the locker room where he was examined, according to the Associated Press.
Bednar was alert and awake after the incident and he was taken to the hospital for a CT scan and evaluation, according to a team spokesperson.
On Sunday, the Avalanche announced that Bednar would be away from the organization to heal.
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was hit in the side of the head with a puck
The puck led to facial fractures and a corneal abrasion, forcing Bednar to the sidelines
‘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,’ the team announced on X.
‘He will not require surgery at this time and is expected to make a full recovery.’
They went on to say that assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol would coach the Avs in Edmonton and Calgary.
Bednar has been the head coach of Colorado since 2016, winning the Stanley Cup in 2022.
The Avalanche have won the Presidents’ Trophy after putting up 115 points this season – the most of any other team.
Their playoff opponents have not yet been determined.
