ST. PAUL, Minn. — Jared Bednar’s coaching career hit a speed bump in 2012. After he served two seasons as head coach of the American Hockey League’s Peoria Rivermen, the parent St. Louis Blues didn’t pick up their club option for a third season on his contract. Even the Peoria Journal Star story labeled the move “surprising,” given the Rivermen had gone 81-63-12 in those two seasons, Bednar’s work had been praised, and right up to the announcement, the assumption was that he would be back.
In stepped the Columbus Blue Jackets, offering Bednar an assistant’s job with their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons.