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Koulikov appointed as GB U20 head coach

Slava Koulikov has been appointed as the new head coach of Great Britain’s U20 team.

149924986326241, British Ice Hockey

Slava Koulikov has been appointed as the new head coach of Great Britain’s U20 team.

The 38-year-old has been part of the GB programme for the past two years, winning a bronze medal as assistant coach at the 2016 World Championship (Division 1B) U20 tournament.

Koulikov will combine the role with his current position in charge of Peterborough Phantoms.

“I’m very honoured to be selected as head coach of GB Under-20s – there is a lot of work ahead and we have set high short and long-term goals,” he said.

“I always challenge to be the best and am really looking forward to it.

“I would like to thank Tom Watkins for first bringing me into the GB programme and also to Tony Hand and the board for trusting me in the new head coach role.”

IHUK national development head coach Tony Hand added: “Slava is very well respected within the UK game and is a perfect fit for this position.

“He already has head coach experience in the UK and knows the GB junior programme from his assistant coaching role with the under-20s in the past two years.

“Our ethos is not just to develop players but to develop coaches as well and we have some very exciting announcements on the horizon for the GB coaching set-up.

“I would like to thank Tommy Watkins and Paul Heavey for their commitment to the programme over the last few years and for all they brought to the GB Under-20s.

“I would also like to say thanks to Paul Hayes and David Hand for their valuable support in the interview process.

“We are freshening up the GB junior programme and these are exciting times ahead.”

Solway Sharks’ head coach Martin Grubb and Swindon Wildcats’ boss Aaron Nell have been appointed as Koulikov’s assistants.

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