Former Belarusian Ice Hockey Association President Lev Kontarovich passed away on 21 February. He was 83 years old.

Kontarovich was the second President of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association chairing the organization from 1993 to 1997 when Belarus for the first time qualified for the Olympic Winter Games and the top-level World Championship for 1998. He remained involved for four more years as Vice President and as team leader of the men’s national team. He was also a member of the IIHF Sport Committee until 2003.

Kontarovich was living in Israel during the last few years where he died in Netanya. He was reported to have suffered from a brain tumour.