BRATISLAVA – Glen Hanlon was named head coach of the Slovak national team for the 2010 IIHF World Championship. He signed a four-year deal that runs over the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

The American-Canadian double citizen succeeds Jan Filc, who resigned after the Vancouver Olympics despite a fourth-place finish.

Hanlon will be the first foreign coach to lead the Slovak national team. He started the press conference with a “dobry den”, saying that he wants to learn the language and move to Slovakia with his family.

“I would like to continue Jan Filc’s work not only at the senior level, but also to work with young players that will represent Slovakia in the future,” Hanlon said. “I don’t want to come just as a guest before the World Championship. I want to work here and my job also includes youth hockey.”

Working with younger players might be his main task and challenge as the successful generation from Slovakia’s medal years is due to end their international careers.

The 2010 World Championship will be the first event to start the renewal process one year before the Slovaks will host the World Championship on home ice in Bratislava and Kosice.

Hanlon also announced that he wishes to work with Filc on the coaching staff.

The 53-year-old former Washington Capitals coach has already World Championship experience as a coach of the Belarusian national team in 2006, 2008 and 2009. He also coached Jokerit Helsinki last year and Dynamo Minsk (KHL) where he was replaced last autumn. Lately, Hanlon has been associated with the NHL Vancouver Canucks.