Red Wings Draftee Finds New Team

Detroit Red Wings draft pick Jan Bednar wasn’t on hockey’s unemployment line for long. Shortly after announcing he was leaving the ECHL Toledo Walleye, word is now arriving that Bednar is joining Finland’s Assat Pori. The netminder agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the SM-liiga club.

“I’m at a point in my career where I need to take a step forward,” Bednar, 22, said on the club’s website. “The series here is of a good standard and I believe I can develop further here.”

Jan Bednář bude chytat za Ässät Pori, smlouvu podepsal na 1 rok! 📝🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/iG2iyHe2Te

— Vojtěch Tůma (@vojtechtuma7) June 19, 2025

Pairing with fellow Red Wings draftee Carter Gylander, Bednar was helping backstop the Walleye to the SCHL Kelly Cup final.

During the 2024-25 season, Bednar went 23-8-6 for the Walleye with a .914 save percentage. His goals-against average was 2.34 and he posted four shutouts.

The 107th overall selection by the Red Wings in the 2020 NHL entry draft, Bednar, 22, would never sign with Detroit. However, he would agree to terms on successive one-year AHL contracts with the Griffins in each of the past two seasons. Outside of four games with the Griffins in 2024-25, he saw all of his pro action between the pipes for the Walleye.

Tervetuloa Ässiin Jan Bednář!

Tiedote: https://t.co/XvyNfpahYq

Etelärannan Juhannus: https://t.co/apXUQHzpul#Ässät #Liiga pic.twitter.com/nd7b8glSDO

— Porin Ässät (@PorinAssat) June 19, 2025

“Jan Bednar is a goal-oriented athlete who is used to playing with the team’s second goalkeeper in a competitive situation,” Assat Pori goalie coach Jaakko Rosendahl said. “We believe that we will have a competitive duo with him and Filip Lindberg, who can share the playing load and also practice a lot.

“The transition from a small rink to the (SM-liiga) will certainly take some time, so practices and practice games will be of great importance when he gets to Pori at the end of the summer.”

Red Wings Pick Played Internationally For Czechia

Bednar played internationally for Czechia in both the U18 and U20 world championships. The 6-foot-4, 196-pound netminder was named the Czech Premier League’s Rookie of the Year in the 2018–19 season.

“Playing for Assat is a great opportunity for me,” Bednar said. “I have heard nothing but great things about the city of Pori, the Assat organization and the fans.

“I am already looking forward to the start of the season.”