COLOGNE – It is a good thing Glen Hanlon likes challenges.

Hanlon took over as head coach of the Slovak national team after the Slovaks captivated the hockey world in an improbable and exciting run to a fourth-place finish at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The Olympic tournament marked the end of the road for many international star players of Slovakia’s hockey program, and the 2010 World Championship is the starting point for the renewal process.

The Slovaks captured the world title in 2002 and won bronze the next year, but they have been on a slow decline ever since, although they showed signs of improvement last year. Two years ago, Slovakia finished 13th and last year improved to 10th.

Hanlon plans to take a hand-on approach to the renewal process.

“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,” Hanlon said when he was introduced as head coach in April.

While Hanlon’s immediate focus is the upcoming tournament, he is also cognizant that the 2011 World Championship is in Slovakia, with games in Bratislava and Košice.

In the previous two World Championship tournaments, Slovakia has gone with a roster featured a majority of players who played on club teams in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.

When a dozen or so Slovak NHLers and top players from European clubs were unable to commit to the world tournament because of injury and personal matters, that presented an opportunity to go in a new direction.

Hanlon has taken a different approach to the 2010 World Championship, and he’s working with younger players from the home front and European leagues.

Goal

Peter Budaj is the only goalie on the roster that plays in the NHL. Budaj was basically glued to the Colorado Avalanche this season and appeared in 15 games. He finished the season with six wins and five losses along with a 91.7 save percentage and a 2.64 goals against average.

Rastislav Stana is one of the KHL players on the Slovak team. He played for Severstal Cherepovets and compiled a 2.59 GAA along with a 90.6 save percentage.

Defence

Richard Lintner is the best puck-moving defenceman the Slovaks have and he isn’t afraid to get involved offensively. He scored a few keys goals in exhibition games leading up to the world tournament.

Much is expected from Dominik Grnak, who is coming off a successful season with Rögle Ängelholm of Sweden’s Elitserien. He is another offensive-minded blueliner.

Andrej Sekera of the Buffalo Sabres will also see a lot of ice time. He plays a solid defensive game and is strong in front of his net.

Forwards

Marek Zagrapan and Richard Panik are a pair of young forwards who have shown a lot of promise in pre-tournament games and who represent the future for Slovak hockey.

Zagrapan was the first round pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2005 and he played in Russia this season. He is highly skilled and has a soft touch around the net.

Panik was Tampa Bay’s second round pick, 52nd overall, last July. He started the season playing major junior hockey in Canada and when his team was eliminated he played a handful of minor pro games.

Marek Svatos was in and out of the Colorado Avalanche line-up this season because of injury. But when he played, he skated on Colorado’s second line, which speaks to his offensive skills and reliability.

Coaching

Hanlon succeeded Jan Filc and he is the first foreign coach to lead the Slovak national team.

Hanlon was a goaltender that appeared in 477 NHL games. He coached the Washington Capitals for three seasons before he moved to Europe. He 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.

Projected Results

The influx of youth combined with having a new head coach behind the bench bodes well for Slovakia.

However, finishing in the top eight will be a difficult mission for Hanlon because of the emphasis in younger players.

But the idea is to rebuild, improve, and challenge for a medal next year when Slovakia plays host to the World Championship, and there is nothing wrong with that approach.

ALAN ADAMS