体坛英语新闻：Belarus hires Hanlon as new coach for its ice hockey teem

MINSK, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Glen Hanlon and the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association reached an agreement over a two-year contract, local media reported on Tuesday.

Hanlon was officially appointed as the head coach of the national. The agreement with the Canadian is effective from July 1.

Hanlon coached Belarus in 2005, 2006 and 2009, and led it to the quarter-finals twice internationally. The 6th place in Riga 2006 was the best finish for Belarus in a World Championship.

Since 2009 Belarus national team hasn't achieved a top-8 placing and dropped down to the 14th place in the 2013 IIHF World Ranking.

It should be noted that Glenn Hanlon has already developed and provided a program of developing preparation of the national team for the World Cup 2014 that will take place in Belarus.