Jan Bednář (born 26 August 2002) is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Bednář was drafted 107th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Jan Bednář
Born (2002-08-26) 26 August 2002 (age 22)
Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams
Detroit Red Wings
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)
HC Karlovy Vary
NHL draft 107th overall, 2020
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 2018–present

Playing career

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During the 2018–19 Czech Extraliga season, Bednář made his professional debut for HC Karlovy Vary at the age of 16, becoming the youngest goaltender to play for Karlovy Vary. He recorded a 2.73 goals-against average (GAA) and .917 save percentage in 10 games. During the 2019–20 Czech Extraliga season, he recorded a 4.39 GAA and .884 save percentage in 13 games for Karlovy Vary. He also spent time with HC Banik Sokolov of Czech 2.liga, where he posted a 3.26 GAA and a .873 save percentage in 24 games.[1][2]

Bednář was drafted second overall by the Acadie–Bathurst Titan in the CHL Import Draft.[3] He was signed by the Titans on August 25, 2020.[4]

Having concluded his junior career with the Titan, on 15 March 2023, Bednář embarked on his North American professional career in signing a two-year AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the primary affiliate to draft club, the Detroit Red Wings.[5] He was then assigned to ECHL affiliate, the Toledo Walleye for the remainder of the 2022–23 season. He appeared in three games with a 1–1–0 record, a 3.01 GAA and a .901 save percentage. During the 2023–24 season, in his first full pro season in North America with the Walleye, he appeared in 36 regular season games and posted a 22–7–2 record, with a 2.66 GAA and a .901 save percentage. On 3 June 2024, Bednar signed a one-year contract extension with the Griffins.[6]

International play

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Bednář represented the Czech Republic at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded a 3.21 GAA and a .892 save percentage. He represented the Czech Republic at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[7]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L OTL MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2018–19 HC Karlovy Vary ELH 10 2 8 0 593 27 0 2.73 .917
2019–20 HC Karlovy Vary ELH 13 2 9 0 710 52 1 4.39 .883
2019–20 Banik Sokolov CZE.2 24 8 16 0 1 3.26 .873
2020–21 HC Karlovy Vary ELH 5 3 2 0 231 16 0 4.16 .866
2020–21 Acadie–Bathurst Titan QMJHL 12 6 5 0 679 41 0 3.62 .894 7 3 4 462 25 0 3.24 .908
2021–22 Acadie–Bathurst Titan QMJHL 47 28 14 4 2,733 124 2 2.72 .912 8 3 5 532 26 0 2.93 .895
2022–23 Acadie–Bathurst Titan QMJHL 10 4 5 1 564 42 0 4.46 .874
2022–23 Toledo Walleye ECHL 3 1 1 0 140 7 0 3.01 .901
2023–24 Toledo Walleye ECHL 36 22 7 6 2146 95 3 2.66 .901 5 4 1 304 12 0 2.37 .917
ELH totals 28 7 19 0 1,534 95 1 3.72 .893


International

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Year Team Event Result GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2019 Czechia U17   3 0 3 149 12 0 4.83 .848
2019 Czechia U18 6th 2 0 1 78 4 0 3.09 .902
2022 Czechia WJC 4th 3 1 2 165 11 0 4.00 .851
Junior totals 8 1 6 392 27 0 4.13 .861

References

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  1. ^ "Chtěl jsem využít šanci na maximum, říká Bednář po debutu". hokejkv.cz. September 6, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  2. ^ Wakiji, Dana (July 6, 2020). "Getting to Know: Daws and Bednar". NHL.com. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  3. ^ "Titan select Czech goaltender Bednar in Import Draft". en.letitan.com. July 30, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  4. ^ "Bednar signs with the Titan". en.letitan.com. August 25, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  5. ^ "Griffins sign Jan Bednar to two-year deal". Grand Rapids Griffins. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Griffins Re-Sign Jan Bednar to One-Year Contract". Grand Rapids Griffins. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  7. ^ Kulfan, Ted (December 22, 2021). "Red Wings prospects taking center stage at world junior hockey tournament". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
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