KYIV – The Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine appointed Oleksandr Seukand as head coach of its national team on Thursday.

Seukand, 57, already held the position from 2003 to 2007 but his contract  wasn’t prolonged after the nation's relegation at the 2007 IIHF World Championship in Russia.

Seukand was replaced by Vladimir Golubovich for the 2007-2008 season but the Russian was let go after the team failed to win the 2008 IIHF World Championship Division I Group B in Sapporo, Japan.

The Ukrainians will aim for the promotion at the 2009 IIHF World Championship Division I Group B in Torun, Poland, against the host nation, Italy, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Romania.

Another goal is to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Ukraine will play in the Final Olympic Qualification Group F in Latvia against  Latvia, Italy and a team coming from the pre-qualification.

Oleksandr Seukand will continue his job with Ukraine’s leading club team Sokil Kyiv, which plays in Russia’s second-tier league, the Vysshaya Liga.