Nik Zupančič, who served as Matjaž Kopitar's assistant, has become the new head coach of Slovenia's national ice hockey team. Last season the former great wing player became national champion with Jesenice.

Last week the management of Slovenia's Ice Hockey Association offered the position to Zupančič. The 46-year-old native of Ljubljana took some time to think it over, and has now accepted the offer. The main goal for the new coach will be to bring Slovenia back among the world ice hockey elite. The Division I World Championships will take place in April in Poland.

Zupančič will replace Matjaž Kopitar as head coach. Kopitar resigned on the 11th of May, when Slovenia was eliminated from the elite for a third time under his leadership. Zupančič was Kopitar's assistant coach during all five years. The biggest success of this generation was its surprising qualification to the Olympic Games in Sochi and making it to a historic quarter-final match.

Zupančič is one of Slovenia's all-time great ice hockey players. He played for Slovenia at 10 world championships and had an important role in Slovenia's first placement among the world elite in 2001. Before that Zupančič also played for the Yugoslav national team.

T. J., MMC;
translated by K. J.