Jan Bednář continues in Pori.
Jan Bednář has become one of the best goalkeepers in the SM league. Elmeri Elo / AOP
One of the hottest goalkeeper names of this SM league season continues in Pori. Aces announced the Czech goalkeeper signed a one-year contract extension on Wednesday by Jan Bednář with.
23-year-old Bednář is playing his first season in the league, but has quickly risen to the league’s elite. The Czech has been one of the biggest cornerstones of the Ässie’s strong early season and, in light of the statistics, is one of the best defenders in the entire series.
Bednář’s goals-against average is 2.07, second best in the league. His save percentage of 92.3 is the highest in the entire series.
In addition, the advanced statistics tell about an exceptional season: Bednář has prevented the most goals compared to the so-called goal expectation (21.5).
Aces sports director Jarno Kultanen describes Bednář’s extension as very significant for the club.
– Bednář has been one of the main architects of Ässie’s good autumn season. He has given the team the opportunity to play for victory in every match with his top saves and consistency, says Kultanen.
According to Kultanen, the extension agreement also shows the quality of Ässie’s operating environment.
– It is a great indication of the quality of the club’s everyday life and coaching that one of the best goalkeepers in the league wanted to continue in Ässi.
Bednář himself says that he had a great time in Äss.
– In Äss, I got a great opportunity to play in a good series. The Ässie organization and all the people here have been great to me and I have had a great time in Pori, he says.
Bednář is a 2020 fourth-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings.