MINSK, 2 November (BelTA) - Mikhail Grabovski, who has extensive game experience in the National Hockey League and coaching practice in the KHL, has become general manager of the country's national ice hockey teams, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarus Ice Hockey Federation.
One of the most successful ice hockey players in the history of the country will be responsible for selection of players to the national teams, interaction with players and coaches. In addition, Mikhail Grabovski will be responsible for the development of players of the institute of national teams. In connection with his new appointment, which requires daily involvement, he left his coaching job at HC Dinamo Minsk, but will continue to work closely with the Bisons coaching staff on the national team roster issues.
“Mikhail Grabovski has long been a legend of Belarusian ice hockey. He has proved himself first as a player and then as a coach. At first, probably not many people believed in his success behind the bench, because he was quite young when he came to HC Dinamo Minsk. Now we see him as a good specialist who is competent enough to prove himself in a new capacity. He has worked closely with the Bisons, and he will continue to help Dinamo discover new Belarusian talents. It is important that Mikhail Grabovski remains in ice hockey. He has always been very serious about the national team. Everything is important for him, both in the locker room and on the ice. I am sure that with his move to a more administrative job, he will be able to realize his potential as a sports manager,” said Chairman of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation Aliaksandr Bahdanovich.
As a player, Mikhail Grabovski played for Yunost Minsk, Neftekhimik (Nizhnekamsk, Russia), Dynamo (Moscow, Russia), Hamilton (Canada), Montreal (Canada), Toronto (Canada), CSKA (Moscow, Russia), Washington (USA) and New York Islanders (USA).He won Calder Cup with Hamilton and European Champions Cup with Dynamo. He is the champion of Belarus (2005, 2006). He participated in IIHF World Championships (2004 - first division, 2005, 2006, 2008-2012, 2014). He played 534 games in the NHL regular season, in which he scored 296 (125+171) points. In the playoffs he scored 2 (0+2) points in 10 games. Mikhail Grabovski was named the best ice hockey player of Belarus four times (2009, 2011, 2013, 2014).
Mikhail Grabovski was on the coaching staff at HC Dinamo Minsk for the past few seasons. In his first season at the club (2019/2020) he also served as the Bisons sports director. In addition, he assisted Craig Woodcroft in the final Olympic qualifying tournament in August 2021. On 18 May 2021, Mikhail Grabovski was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Athletes' Commission of the NOC of Belarus.