MINSK, 7 March (BelTA) – Defenseman of HC Traktor Chelyabinsk Nick Bailen has expressed readiness to play for Belarus at the 2019 IIHF World Championship Division I in Astana, Kazakhstan, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation.
Talking to head coach Andrei Sidorenko, the player, with the Belarusian citizenship, expressed readiness to help the team at the forthcoming sport forum. The player is expected to join the national team on 11 April.
Nick Bailen got the right to play for Belarus after two seasons with HC Dinamo Minsk (2014/15 and 2015/16). In the course of the third season the player left the Bisons to play for the Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League. The player joined HC Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League for the season 2017/18.
Nick Bailen debuted for the Belarusian national team in the IIHF Olympic Qualifier in Minsk in September 2016. He scored one goal and made two assists. Nick Bailen also played in five Euro Ice Hockey Challenge where he earned 4 (1+3) points. The 2019 IIHF World Championship Division I (Group A) will take place in Astana on 29 April-5 May. Belarus will face Kazakhstan, Slovenia, South Korea, Hungary and Lithuania.
