Giants Hire Glen Hanlon

It’s never an easy task in finding that “perfect fit” for any sports team and the Giants found themselves in the position of getting one of the best to fill the vacant position.

Playing for the Canucks and living in Point Roberts during his playing time, Glen feel’s at home and welcome’s the opportunity given to him by the Vancouver Giants.

Giants Executive VP and GM Scott Bonner introduced Glen Hanlon has been appointed as the club’s new assistant coach, which is effective immediately.

The former NHL goaltender signed a multi year deal with the organization.

“I am extremely excited to have a coach of Glen’s calibre join our team, “said Bonner.

“I think having the opportunity to add a coach with both NHL playing and coaching experience will only make our players experience better and will assist them as they prepare for pro hockey.”

A native of Brandon, Manitoba, Hanlon played 3 years in the WHL with his hometown Wheat Kings, winning the WHL’s Goaltender of the Year award in 1977.

He was selected in the 3^rd round, 40^th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft and went on to a 15 year career in the NHL playing for the Canucks, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings.

“The opportunity to work with an organization with a winning tradition, combined with the stability it will provide for myself and my family was too good to pass up,” said Hanlon.

Since retiring as a player in 1991, Hanlon has coached in the NHL, AHL, KHL, Finnish Elite League, and internationally.

Most notably he was the head coach of the Washington Capitals over 4 seasons from 2003 to 2007; a team, which featured the likes of Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Olaf Kolzig.

As well, he was previously the national team head coach for Belarus and Slovakia. “Junior hockey is the one level I have never coached at. I am excited to get the chance to work with young players and to learn and work with Don Hay, who I believe is the best junior coach in Canada,” said Hanlon.

The Giants are the only team in the Canadian Hockey League to boast two former NHL head coaches behind their bench. “We feel very fortunate this opportunity presented itself,” said head coach Don Hay. “The addition of Glen to our staff is a huge asset and I can’t wait to start working together.”

Yogi Svejkovsky will remain with the team as skills coach, while last year’s assistant coach Chad Scharff has taken over as the team’s equipment manager.

Rounding out the coaching staff is Paul Fricker, who was named goaltending coach at the end of May.

Glen mentioned he has on last holiday and he plan’s on going fishing in Northern Ontario, prior to the season kicking-off.

He mentioned for his last position he found himself away from home for a period of three months and when I mentioned “now he knows how the families or members of the Canadian Armed Forces feel”, he simply smiled and mentioned “that he is proud of ourTroops and could not imagine how they manage to do what they do”.

He continued “no I could not imagine to be away from my family for such a period of time”.

With the recent appointment of Don Hay for the Canadian World Junior Team, this is a great fit for everyone.

Giants training camp opens August 25 at the Ladner Leisure Centre.