COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have named Jared Bednar head coach of the Springfield Falcons , the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager Chris MacFarland announced today. Bednar has served as an assistant coach with the Falcons since July 23, 2012, helping the club capture back-to-back Northeast Division titles in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

“Jared has been instrumental in the development of several of our prospects in Springfield while serving as an assistant coach and was a big part of the team’s recent success,” said MacFarland, who oversees hockey operations of Columbus’ professional affiliates. “He’s very well-respected throughout the hockey community and we’re confident he will excel in his new role within our organization.”

Bednar, 42, served as the head coach of the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen from 2010-12, amassing a record of 81-63-12 over the course of his two seasons with the club. He joined the Rivermen after serving as an assistant coach to Jim Playfair with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat during the club’s inaugural 2009-10 season.

In 2008-09, Bednar led the South Carolina Stingrays to a 42-23-6 record and the Kelly Cup championship in just his second season as the ECHL club’s head coach. He compiled an 89-45-9 mark during his stint with South Carolina from 2007-09. The Yorkton, Saskatchewan native was an assistant coach with the Stingrays from 2002-07 during which time South Carolina qualified for the playoffs in all but one season.

A defenseman, Bednar skated in 148 career AHL/International Hockey League games with Grand Rapids, St. John’s and Rochester, as well as 434 career ECHL contests with Huntington and South Carolina. He won league titles with the Stingrays in both 1997 and 2001.