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Belarus’ flagship hockey team sack Canadian coach Hanlon

Belarus’ flagship ice hockey team, Dinamo Minsk, parted company with head coach Glen Hanlon after a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Continental Hockey League underdogs Amur Khabarovsk on Tuesday, BelaPAN said.

The 52-year-old Canadian did not attend the post-match news conference and it was Uladzimir Navumaw, chairman of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation, who announced the news to reporters.

“I made the dismissal decision after seeing today’s game. With such a roster of players the team should not play like this. I have already said that the team lack character. The current coaching staff will not be able to instill it,” he said.

The official revealed that Mr. Hanlon had handed in his resignation two weeks before. “But since I am certain that Hanlon is a very good coach, he was offered to stay,” Mr. Navumaw said.

He stressed that the Canadian would be offered to keep his job of Team Belarus coach.

Mr. Navumaw announced that HC Homyel coach Alyaksandr Andryyewski, who captained Team Belarus for many years, would replace Mr. Hanlon at the helm of Dinamo Minsk.

Dinamo’s shock defeat on Tuesday came after a three-game winning streak. The Belarusian club currently rank 17th in the 24-team Continental Hockey League with 20 points from 16 games.

Mr. Hanlon, a former NHL goaltender, served as head coach of Team Belarus in 2005 and 2006 and rejoined the team in May 2008. He led the national team to top eight finishes at the 2006 and 2009 World Championships.

He was appointed Dinamo Minsk coach this past March.