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Foreign Hockey Master Takes Over
Canadian coach to lead Belarusian national hockey team
By
Sergey Kanashits
THE MINSK TIMES – THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2005
The Belarusian National hockey team has experienced an unexpected change of
head coach prior to the World Championship — to be held in Austria from
April 30th onwards. The executive committee of the Belarusian Hockey
Federation accepted former coach Mikhail Zakharov’s resignation and Glen
Hanlon from Canada has been appointed in his place. His contract has been
signed until September 1st, 2005.
Glen Hanlon’s name is well known throughout Northern America. As a promising
young goalkeeper from Manitoba province in Canada, he was recruited by NHL’s
Vancouver Canucks in 1977 and played for them until 1982. He played for many
teams, including the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers and the Detroit Red
Wings, until, by the early 80s, he was considered to be one of the top
goalkeepers in the strongest hockey league in the world. He was an intense,
dedicated player able to focus his mind utterly upon each game;
correspondingly, he could find it hard to relax afterwards. Sadly, due to a
knee injury, he was forced to end his playing career prematurely. He began
training goalkeepers and his first challenge was with the Vancouver team. He
worked there until 1999, combining this job with being the supporting coach
for the Canadian national team. The latter brought him to the World
Championship in 1998. Following this honor, he was appointed head coach to
AHL’s Portland Pirates where he worked for three seasons before replacing
Washington Capitals head coach, Bruce Cassidy, midway through the 2003-04
season. In April 2004, he assisted Mike Babcock and the Canadian team at the
world championship — where they won. Unfortunately, the lockout has created
an obstacle to his career in the US.
Many people might wonder why Hanlon has been chosen to head the Belarusian
hockey team. Of course, following the disappointment suffered by the
national team at Riga and the resignation of their coach, the Belarusian
Hockey Federation were obliged to search for a replacement. Enquiries were
sent to Russia, Finland, Sweden and Slovakia and the Belarusian Embassy in
the USA has looked at possible candidates from among the NHL teams.
Interestingly, Glen Hanlon responded to the search on his own initiative,
volunteering himself for what he has called the ‘prestigious’ position. He
has been following our team’s performance at the Olympic qualification
rounds (hosted by Riga) and other tournaments, so, is armed with a good
background of reference. He has not specified any unusual financial terms
for his employment.
Hanlon commented on his new position:
It is a great honor for me to head a team taking part in the World
Championship. It is an excellent opportunity to broaden and diversify my
coaching skills.
What has influenced your decision to work for so little money?
I have a running contract with the Washington Capitals club and am paid
by them — that is quite enough for me. I love hockey and I came to Belarus
for other reasons than to make money.
What is your first impression of Belarus?
I learned a lot about Belarus from the Internet before I arrived; also,
my father-in-law is from Poland. Belarus is not such an alien country to me
as it might seem. You are wrong if you think that Americans don’t know about
Belarusian hockey. Your victory over the USA at the World Youth Championship
caused a stir. Additionally, scouts from Northern America visited Minsk last
year for the World Junior Championship and they saw how well loved the game
is here. This greatly influenced my decision.
Hanlon has already spoken to the Belarusian hockey players who are taking
part in the Russian Superleague and has attended Open Belarusian
Championship matches. Belarusian fans are anticipating great things from the
newly invigorated team.
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