MINSK, 30 March (BelTA) – The Belarusian national ice hockey team have kicked off training at Minsk Arena ahead of the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship which is to take place in France and Germany on 5-21 May, BelTA has learned.
Dave Lewis' men held their first training session ahead of the tournament on 29 March. Attending the training were 31 players. The roster included defenseman of U20 Team Belarus Kirill Chaika. The team was also joined by forward of EHC Bayreuth Sergei Stas.
Prior to the world forum which is due in Paris and Cologne on 5-21 May, the Belarusian national team will take part in the traditional international tournament Euro Ice Hockey Challenge. Belarus will face Latvia (on 7 and 8 April, away), Germany (14 and 15 April, Bobruisk), Sweden (21 and 22 April, Grodno) and France (30 April and 1 May, away).
Belarus will open the 2017 IIHF World Championship against Finland on 5 May. The Group B game will take place in Paris.
