U.S., Russia, Belarus make Olympic hockey news
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 | 3:16 PM ET
CBC Sports
Nikolai Khabibulin has been worked hard early in the season in Edmonton's net. (Jimmy Jeong/Getty Images)The Russian Hockey Federation on Tuesday submitted a modified list of players under consideration to play in the 2010 Winter Olympics, one that now includes Nikolai Khabibulin.
Khabibulin was not invited to a summer camp for the Russian prospects, but has started the season strongly for the Edmonton Oilers.
Khabibulin has posted a 6-6-1 record and .907 save percentage despite facing nearly 34 shots per game, a higher total than any other NHL goaltender. He last played for Russia at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
The Ottawa Senators' Alexei Kovalev is on the 50-player list despite not attending camp. Kovalev could potentially play in his fourth Olympics for the country.
The most notable absences on the new list are Alexei Yahsin, Nikolai Zherdev and Alexei Zhitnik, former NHL players currently playing in Russia.
The official roster is expected before the end of December.
Belarus
Former NHL player and Washington Capitals coach Glen Hanlon won't be coaching Belarus at the Vancouver Games.
Hanlon has parted ways with the country's hockey federation shortly after being fired as coach of Dynamo Minsk, the KHL team located in Belarus.
Hanlon had guided Belarus to a respectable sixth-place showing at the most recent world championshps. Vladimir Naumov, president of the Belarus ice hockey association, said a new coach will be named by early December.
United States
USA Hockey announced on Tuesday that the American roster will be announced during the NBC broadcast of the Winter Classic on New Year's Day.
The Jan. 1 game between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park is being broadcast in Canada on Hockey Night in Canada.
