Denver, CO – Netflix has set date for its exhilarating new documentary, Ice in the Veins: Jared Bednar’s Avalanche Triumphs, a captivating exploration of Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar’s victorious moments with the team. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laura McGann, the docuseries offers an intimate look at Bednar’s transformative tenure, focusing on his leadership during the 2022 Stanley Cup victory and his record-breaking achievements with the franchise. The series promises to immerse fans in the highs of Avalanche hockey, celebrating Bednar’s legacy as the team’s most beloved coach.
Jared Bednar, appointed head coach of the Colorado Avalanche on August 25, 2016, is the franchise’s winningest coach, with a 390-246-64 regular-season record (.592) and 50-35 in playoff games through the 2024-25 season. His crowning achievement came in 2022, when he led the Avalanche to their third Stanley Cup, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 16-4 postseason run. Ice in the Veins zeroes in on these victorious moments, showcasing Bednar’s strategic brilliance and the passion that has endeared him to Denver’s hockey faithful. The documentary highlights his journey from a successful AHL coach to an NHL champion, a path marked by resilience and historic milestones.
The series will feature exclusive footage from the 2022 Stanley Cup run, including locker room speeches, sideline strategies, and celebrations with stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Gabriel Landeskog. Fans will relive iconic games, such as the Game 6 clincher against Tampa Bay, where Nazem Kadri’s overtime goal sparked jubilation. The documentary also captures Bednar’s role in setting franchise records, including 56 wins and 119 points in 2021-22, tying an NHL record for combined regular-season and playoff victories (72).
Produced by Words + Pictures, the team behind Netflix’s Court of Gold, Ice in the Veins offers unparalleled access to Bednar’s Avalanche era. The series includes never-before-seen footage from team practices, travel, and personal moments, providing a rare glimpse into Bednar’s calm yet commanding presence. Viewers will see him mentoring young stars like Makar, who won the 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy, and navigating challenges like Landeskog’s three-year injury absence. The documentary also features Bednar’s emotional return of the 2022 Stanley Cup to Humboldt, Saskatchewan, a gesture that resonated deeply with fans.
“This series is about Jared Bednar’s heart and hustle,” said director Laura McGann in a press release. “We’ve captured the moments that defined his victories—big and small—and the connection he’s forged with the Avalanche family.” Interviews with players, assistant coaches, and GM Chris MacFarland highlight Bednar’s impact, with MacKinnon calling him “the glue that keeps us together.” Archival footage from Bednar’s early days, including his 2016 AHL Calder Cup win, underscores his growth into an NHL titan.
The heart of Ice in the Veins is the 2022 Stanley Cup run, a defining moment for Bednar and the Avalanche. After a 48-point debacle in 2016-17, Bednar orchestrated a 47-point turnaround in 2017-18, one of the largest in NHL history, earning a 2018 Jack Adams Award finalist nod. By 2022, his system—blending speed, skill, and defensive grit—produced a juggernaut. The documentary relives key playoff moments: sweeping Nashville, outlasting St. Louis, and dominating Edmonton en route to the Final. Bednar’s strategic adjustments, like countering Tampa’s physicality, are dissected through game footage and player commentary.
The series also covers Bednar’s broader victories, including eight straight playoff appearances (2018-25), a franchise first, and three consecutive division titles (2020-23). His ability to integrate 49 players in 2024-25 amid injuries, as noted in a Denver Gazette article, showcases his adaptability. Fans will see Bednar’s lighter side, too, like his playful banter with Makar during practice, balancing intensity with camaraderie.
While celebrating Bednar’s triumphs, Ice in the Veins acknowledges challenges, such as the 2023 and 2024 playoff exits and fan frustration over roster depth, as voiced on X in 2025. The documentary explores Bednar’s response to criticism, including calls for change after a 0-4 start in 2024-25, and his ability to maintain player trust. Interviews with Bednar reflect on the pressure of sustaining a contender, especially post-2022, and his gratitude for a 2023 contract extension through 2026-27.
The series is a tribute to Avalanche fans, whose loyalty through Bednar’s ups and downs has been unwavering. Footage from Ball Arena’s 2022 Cup celebrations, with fans chanting “Bednar!” captures the electric atmosphere. The documentary includes fan testimonials, highlighting Bednar’s community impact, like his Humboldt gesture, which a 2022 X post called “pure class.” Its August 30 release, ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season, primes fans for another playoff push.
As August 30 nears, excitement for Ice in the Veins is surging. X posts praise Bednar’s 2022 triumph and resilience, with fans eager to relive the Cup run. The documentary complements Netflix’s upcoming Avalanche series AVS, set for August 15, 2025, but focuses solely on Bednar’s victories. Ice in the Veins: Jared Bednar’s Avalanche Triumphs will cement his legacy as a fan favorite, immortalizing the coach who brought a third Cup to Denver. On August 30, fans will once again roar, “Go Avs Go!”
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