News of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk and Riga

MINSK, 3 May (BelTA) – North-American specialist Todd Woodcroft has joined the coaching staff of the Belarusian national ice hockey team as Video Coach, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation.

The 2014 IIHF World Championship will be a second one for Todd Woodcroft as part of the Belarusian national team. The North-American specialist started his coaching career with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. At the 2004 IIHF World Championship in Prague, the Czech Republic he made part of Canada’s national team that won the gold of the tournament. In 2005 Todd Woodcroft joined the NHL’s Washington Capitals with Belarus’ current head coach Glen Hanlon working there as Assistant Coach.

Belarus’ national team reached its highest result at the 2006 world championship in Riga, finishing 6^th. Todd Woodcroft served then as one of Glen Hanlon’s assistants. Todd Woodcroft also spent some time with the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk as Assistant General Manager. He returned to the NHL and joined the Los Angeles Kings to win the Stanley Cup in 2012. At present Todd Woodcroft is a Scouting Director with the Calgary Frames.

Belarusian specialists Eduard Zankovets and Oleg Mikulchik have been hired as Glen Hanlon’s assistants in the Belarusian national ice hockey team in summer 2013.