Goaltender Jan Bednar skated in his first season with the Griffins and third year as a professional. He showed a 1-2-0 record in four games to go along with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage with the Griffins. He made his AHL debut on March 15 at Rockford, making 14 saves on 15 shots in a 3-1 victory. Bednar became the ninth rookie goaltender in franchise history to win his debut, joining Carter Gylander (2024), Sebastian Cossa (2022), Filip Larsson (2019), Petr Mrazek (2012), Tom McCollum (2009), Jimmy Howard (2005), Simon Lajeunesse (2001), and Mathieu Chouinard (2000). The 22-year-old spent much of the campaign in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye, producing a 23-8-6 record with four shutouts, a 2.34 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 37 regular-season games. He then reached the Kelly Cup Finals with the Walleye, showing a 7-5 record with one shutout, a 2.37 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 12 games.

Regular Season Stat Line

4 GP, 1-2-0 record, 2.12 GAA, .919 save percentage, 0 shutouts with GRG
37 GP, 23-8-6 record, 2.34 GAA, .914 save percentage, 4 shutouts with TOL

Postseason Stat Line

12 GP, 7-5 record, 2.37 GAA, .909 save percentage, 1 shutout with TOL

Contract Status 

Unrestricted free agent

By the Numbers 

15 – Made AHL and Griffins debut on March 15 at Rockford, earning 14 saves on 15 shots in a 3-1 win

28 – AHL season-high 28 saves on March 26 against Texas 

9 – Became the ninth rookie goaltender in franchise history to win his debut, joining Carter Gylander (2024), Sebastian Cossa (2022), Filip Larsson (2019), Petr Mrazek (2012), Tom McCollum (2009), Jimmy Howard (2005), Simon Lajeunesse (2001), and Mathieu Chouinard (2000).

24 – Saved 24 of the first 25 shots faced in the AHL between two games rom March 15-21

4 – Recorded four shutouts in the ECHL on Oct. 19 at Bloomington (24 saves), Dec. 20 at Wheeling (25 saves), Jan. 5 against Kalamazoo (28 saves), and March 28 at Florida (28 saves)

25 – Allowed two goals or less in 25 of the combined 41 regular-season games between the ECHL and AHL

9 – Posted 30 or more saves nine times throughout the season

34 – Logged a season-high 34 saves on Dec. 7 against Bloomington and May 8 at Fort Wayne

6 – Season-high six-game point streak from Dec. 13-Jan. 5 (5-0-1)

4 – Season-high four-game win streak from Jan. 24-Feb. 7

12 – Competed in a career-high 12 postseason games with Toledo, reaching the Kelly Cup Finals

Newsworthy

Grand Rapids Griffins | Back on Track

The Daily: Bednar Delivers in Kelly Cup Final; Habs Trade Talk | Detroit Hockey Now

The Daily: Walleye Chase Title with Detroit Goalies; Nelson Update | Detroit Hockey Now

The Daily: Red Wings Draftee Leads Walleye Playoff Win; Gruesome Injury | Detroit Hockey Now