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Czech mate Hlinka named as the coach of the Penguins
Posted: Thursday June 22, 2000 12:14 PM
PITTSBURGH (AP) - The NHL team with the most Europeans on its roster got a coach Wednesday it can relate to: Ivan Hlinka, the former Czech Republic Olympic coach. Hlinka promised that the Penguins won't rely entirely on finesse over force next season, and said he wants one or two more big men for defense. "If you watch our series against the Flyers, if we have one or two more physical players, that series goes to us," Hlinka said. The Penguins upset the Washington Capitals in the first round of the NHL playoffs, then led the top-seeded Flyers in the second round before they faltered and lost the series 4-2. Hlinka's hiring was not unexpected. In February, Penguins owner Mario Lemieux and general manager Craig Patrick brought him on as an associate coach. It was believed then that he would eventually replace Herb Brooks, who made it clear he did not intend to stay long as coach after replacing Kevin Constantine a year ago. The new coach looked to be the first European born-and-bred coach in the NHL when he signed a three-year contract in February, but the Chicago Blackhawks ended up hiring Finnish native Alpo Suhonen right after the season. Patrick said Wednesday the team's international lineup was not the only factor in promoting Hlinka. "That was definitely a consideration but when you look at Ivan's credentials, as a coach ... he's a natural choice," Patrick said. Hlinka, who has said he plans to work on his English, comes to a team where at least many of the best players already understand him. Jaromir Jagr, the NHL's scoring champion, played for Hlinka on the gold medal-winning 1998 Czech team. Seven of Pittsburgh's top scorers are European, including Jagr, Alexei Kovalev, Robert Lang, Martin Straka, Jan Hrdina, Alexei Morozov and Jiri Slegr. With 14 Europeans on the roster, the Penguins are the NHL's most European-dominated team. Another European, first-round draft pick Milan Kraft of the Czech Republic, is expected to make Pittsburgh's roster next season.
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