Slovenia

Opening day in Tallinn

France, Ukraine and Slovenia got clear wins on the opening day of the World U20 Championship Division 1B in Tondiraba Icehall in Tallinn, Estonia.

France beat Poland 6-2, Ukraine beat Estonia 7-2 and Slovenia beat Japan 7-3.

Matjaz Kopitar is back on Slovenia bench

Matjaz Kopitar, 53, father of Los Angeles Kings captain Anze, is back again on Slovenia national team bench in his third experience as head coach after the 2010-2015 period, when he led Slovenia at Sochi Olympics and in three World Championships, always ended with the relegation of the team. Kopitar was back in 2017-2018 before to work full-time as scout for Los Angeles Kings.
He should sign a contract for four years, beginning the new adventure with two challenge, both on home ice: next February in Jesenice hunting for the Olympic pass battling with Japan, Lithuania and qualifier from a previous round and in late April in Ljubljana at World Championship Division Ia when Slovenia will compete with France, Austria, Korea, Hungary and Romania in a complicate race for the promotion to Elite Division, after a disappointing campaign in Nur Sultan last spring

Ziga Jeglich suspended 8 months

The IIHF issued a verdict on the case of Slovenian national team player Ziga Jeglic. He receives an eight-month suspension, until October 20, 2018.

During the Olympics 2018, a fenoterol drug was found in the hockey player's test. The hockey player recognized the violation of the anti-doping rules, and was suspended from the remaining matches of the Slovenian national team. In Korea Jeglich scored one goal. He accepted a voluntary suspension until the date of the final decision
Jeglic played in the KHL last season for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and Neftekhimik. After reporting a positive doping test, he left the Nizhnekamsk club.

Ivo Jan will coach Slovenia

Vipiteno Broncos head coach Ivo Jan will coach Slovenia national team keeping his job at the Italian team competing in Alps Hockey League.
Matjaz Kopitar, father of Los Angeles superstar Anze, was originally supposed to coach the Slovenian national team, but he cancelled the contract accepting a scout role at Los Angeles Kings.
The 43-year-old signed a 1+1 year contract, heading Slovenia at the 2019 World Championship Division I in Astana against Belarus, South Korea, Lithuania, Hungary and Kazakhstan

Kopitar behind Slovenian win

Anze Kopitar had 3 assists when his Slovenia beat Italy 4-0 on the first day of the EIHC tournament in Ljubljana. France beat Austria 2-0.