Dave Lewis goes east again

New national coach for Belarus found

Published 12.12.2014 11:30 GMT+1 | Author Martin Merk

Dave Lewis during a press conference in 2009 when he was hired as Ukrainian national team coach. Photo: FHU

Dave Lewis will become the new head coach of the Belarusian national team after Vladimir Krikunov has stepped down after just a tournament in November.

The Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation announced that Lewis will come to Minsk on Monday to sign a contract and be presented at a press conference.

For the 61-year-old Canadian it will not be the first stint with Belarus. He was an assistant coach of Glen Hanlon in the 2008/2009 season and of Mikhail Zakharov at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. One year later he coached the national team of neighbouring country Ukraine for a season.

After his stint he became an assistant coach in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes where he worked until last May.

Before 2008 Lewis was working for the Detroit Red Wings for 19 years including three seasons as a head coach. He won three Stanley Cup as Scotty Bowman’s assistant before taking over. Lewis was also coaching the Boston Bruins for one season and was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings.

Before starting his coaching career in 1987 he played over 1,000 NHL games as a defencemen.

Back to Overview