Rene Fasel: 'Belarus is a hockey nation'

Minsk, April 6, 2009 – in the Palace of Sports the press conference was held with participation of the IIHF President Rene Fasel and the IIHF General Secretary Horst Lichtner.

Rene FASEL: 'I am glad to be in Minsk again. This is the second time I am at a Junior tournament in this hospitable city. In 1981 Minsk was hosting the Europe Ice Hockey Championship, and that time the Soviet Union team won the gold.
Belarus is a hockey nation. I will hardly forget 2002 when Belarus defeated Sweden at Salt-LakeCity Olympic Games. Lots of people learned about your country thanks to this sensation.
Today we visited Minks-Arena which is under construction and we were impressed. This potentially can be a good venue to host world championships.
I am thankful to Belarus IHA for the invitation to Minsk, and I am always happy to come here'.

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