Slovakia hires Czech coach
18 Aug 2011 | Fredrik Pålsson
64-year-old Vladimir Vujtek replaces Glen Hanlon as the coach of Team Slovakia.
The executive committee of the Slovak Ice Hockey Association announced on Wednesday that Czech Vladimir Vujtek is the new coach of the Slovak national team. The contract runs from September 1, 2011 to 2012 with an option to extend it over the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Vujtek has been coaching in Russia for the last three seasons, last at Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. He also coached many years in the Czech Extraliga. He won the Russian championship twice with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (2002 and 2003) and reached the final of the Czech Extraliga playoffs three times.
Vujtek replaces Glen Hanlon, who coached Slovakia during the World Championship at home ice this spring. The 10th-place finish was a huge disappointment and with Vujtek behind the bench Slovakia has great hopes of better results.
Slovak Peter Oremus, who is currently coach of HK 36 Skalica, was announced as his assisant coach.