HELSINKI – EV Zug announced today that Doug Shedden signed a two-year contract as the new head coach. Jokerit Helsinki has already found Shedden’s successor: Glen Hanlon, the former head coach of the Washington Capitals and Team Belarus.

Shedden coached in various North American minor league teams before moving to Finland in 2005. He was first head coach of HIFK Helsinki before signing for local rival Jokerit and doubling as Team Finland head coach this season. Jokerit unavailingly tried to keep the Canadian but today his signature with Switzerland’s EV Zug ended their hopes. He will replace Sean Simpson next season, who is rumoured to be in talks with the ZSC Lions.

Shedden’s successor is no unknown. Glen Hanlon was working for the NHL team Washington Capitals for nine years, five of them as a head coach, before he was released last November. Hanlon was also head coach of Belarus at the 2005 and 2006 World Championship. After he had to step down because of his duties in Washington, he missed the 2007 Worlds and is back in the Belarusian coaching staff since one month. He signed a one-year contract with Jokerit Helsinki with the intention for a longer stay.