Glen Hanlon is a former professional ice hockey player and coach from Canada. He was born on February 20, 1957, in Brandon, Manitoba. Hanlon began his hockey career as a goaltender, playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1974 to 1977. He was then drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round of the 1977 NHL Entry Draft.
Hanlon played in the NHL for 11 seasons, from 1977 to 1988. He played for the Canucks, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings. Hanlon was known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to make acrobatic saves. He was also a skilled puck-handler and was one of the first goaltenders to regularly leave his crease to play the puck.
After retiring as a player, Hanlon became a coach. He began his coaching career in 1988 as an assistant coach for the Red Wings. He then spent several years coaching in the minor leagues before becoming the head coach of the WHL's Swift Current Broncos in 1994. Hanlon led the Broncos to a Memorial Cup championship in 1989.
In 1996, Hanlon became the head coach of the WHL's Portland Winterhawks. He coached the team for two seasons before being hired as an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks in 1998. Hanlon was promoted to head coach of the Canucks in 1999, but he was fired after just one season.
Hanlon then spent several years coaching in Europe, including stints with the Swiss national team and the Austrian club team EC Red Bull Salzburg. In 2003, he was hired as the head coach of the Belarus national team. Hanlon led Belarus to several impressive performances in international tournaments, including a fourth-place finish at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
In 2007, Hanlon returned to the NHL as the head coach of the Washington Capitals. He coached the team for two seasons before being fired in 2008. Hanlon then returned to Europe, where he has continued to coach club teams and national teams.
Throughout his career, Hanlon has been known for his passion for the game and his ability to develop young players. He has also been praised for his innovative coaching strategies, including his use of video analysis and his emphasis on fitness and conditioning.
Overall, Glen Hanlon had a successful career as both a player and a coach. He was a talented goaltender who played in the NHL for over a decade, and he has had a successful coaching career in both North America and Europe. Hanlon's passion for the game and his commitment to developing young players have made him a respected figure in the hockey world.
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