Belarus

Is Belarus the new Sweden ?


Asked your's truly  to then Belarus National team coach  Glen Hanlon in 2008.


Hanlon smiled and diplomatically answered '' We're not there yet ''


I sometimes wonder though , if, looking back on it now, Glen's perspective has shifted on the program he left in 2009 to now head the Slovakia National team.


Especially considering the way he left.


In 2009 the BHF ( Belarus Hockey Federation ) decided to part ways with Hanlon in what was considered '' internal matters '', Hanlon simply announced to the press he had resigned .
Hanlon had raised a team from the obscurity of bottom divisional rankings to 8th worlwide. A rise that fans, players and media largely attributed to Hanlon's chemistry with the National Team's veteran core.


A resignation they all took as a sign that Hanlon had had enough of the internal politics within the federation.


Hanlon was replaced by Mikhail Zakharov who also left the program after an injury riddled team underperformed in Vancouver.


Zakharov said to the press at the time.


'' Despite the fact we had allot of injuries, our defence didn't play up to par and we looked lost out there ''




One thing is for sure, it hasn't been an easy road to the NHL for the Belorussian exports.


Following the public spat that trailed the relationship the Kostitsyn's had with Mikhail Grabovski, the headlines inevitably followed prospect Mikhail Stefanovich, highly touted with the Maple Leafs who eventually left North America to a lucrative contract in the KHL after ending up in the ECHL despite a prolific junior career in the Q.


The stories look the same for Sergei Kukushin, Konstantin Zakharov and players like Konstantin Koltsov and Vladimir Denisov, all picks who saw mild interest from their draft teams before falling through to the KHL.


An ex Montreal scout.


'' People often don't understand the mentality of players from poor Russian sphere countries like Belarus.
These guys know that they'll make money from about 21 to 35 years old if they are lucky, and spending 3 years in the AHL is almost like throwing a million or 2 out the window for them they estimate they can make in the KHL. In a country where a doctors monthly salary is 400 to 1000$ A mill is allot of money. ''


'' Take the example of Konstantin Koltsov, even Andrei Kostitsyn threatened to leave Montreal if they decided to send him to the minors in 2007 ''


'' When you evaluate the contract situation of Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei Kostitsyn and players like Ruslan Salei who will be 39 come 2012. Maybe the Belarus thing was more of a temporary swell, the way Latvia was with Irbe and Ozolinsh. ''




Definitly not Sweden.

Oleg Petrov Interview

Q - When you left the NHL I assumed you would be one of the first guys on the KHL bandwagon, It's actually your second year in the Moscow area after an almost 20 year exile, that's allot of time !

A - (Laughing) Mytishchi is a bit like Laval so can I call it the Moscow area ? Actually there had been allot of change since I left, my first years back in the KHL were in Kazan and since I didn't renew my association with them last year we decided to move into a more ''multi-national'' area. My wife is Canadian so the fact we're in a more english -friendly environment now is important.

Q - Second season for Atlant, how are you meshing with the club ?

A - They have World-Class installations and a fantastic coaching staff, you could say it was an easy transition from my previous clubs, but the fact I'm closer to home I think magnifies all the good aspects of playing here. But don't get me wrong, when it comes to professional hockey in Europe, whether you're in Switzerland or Russia the teams go out of their way to make you feel at home.

Q - You had a taste of both, how do you gauge the KHL's progress vs the NHL ?

A - It's still another game here compared to North America, the differences go beyond the product that both leagues put on the ice. The format is different at every level not just the width of the rink. I think that the KHL offers a great product and that fans, players as well as owners are happy with what we're offering.

Q - When you left the NHL, you were in your early 30s, would finishing your playing career so close to where it began something you've considered ?


A - We have a pretty young team, and I think that being part of this veteran core is great because the roles are well defined. I doubt I would ever go back to Switzerland or anywhere else, especially closing in on 40. I mean there are always offers and different opportunities in this game, but I think I'm done moving the family from one spot to another.

Q - You're putting up fantastic numbers this year for someone closing in on 40


A - I think that beyond age, the most important thing for an athlete in today's game is the amount of preparation and motivation that goes in your play. I've kept in shape and most importantly, I've kept my motivation .

Q - The KHL has some good caliber stars who had an impact in the NHL like Jagr, Yashin, Radulov and a few others, last year's top scorer was Marcel Hossa who had difficulty in North America but adapted very well to the KHL how do you explain this ?


A - My opinion is that to have success in the KHL, you need a good skillset and Marcel, like his brother has dominant hockey skills. It can be maturity too, maybe Marcel would be putting up good numbers in the NHL if teams had been more patient.

Q - There is still a sense of disbelief over the Radulov situation back in the NHL

A - People forget the amount of players even until recently who left to go play in North America, there was allot of controversy when Malkin left, but like the NHL is happy to have Malkin, we are happy to have Radulov

Q - You and Jan Bulis still talk about Montreal ?


A - The NHL is still a recent memory for Jan, we have players like Bykov, Zyuzin, Obsut who also played in North America. There are only good memories of course.

Q - Back to the NHL, I remember you and Andrei Markov being very close playing in Montreal, do you guys still keep in touch ?


A - It has been hard for Andrei the last two years as he is recovering from a serious injury, we've never really lost touch. I hope he gets better. Of course now that he speaks English and has the Canadian citizenship he might not make Team Canada in Sochi. I will be sad for him(laughs).