Former NHL goalie Glen Hanlon returns to Vancouver as assistant coach of Junior League Hockey Team
Originally drafted by Vancouver Canucks in the 1977 National Hockey League Amateur Draft as the 40th overall pick in round-three, Glen Hanlon has returned to his original draft city as an assistant coach of a major junior ice hockey team.
Mostly due to family reasons, the 54-year-old had to return from Slovakia, where he went to pursue his dream of being a head coach, and remained in that position for the Slovakian national team.
Enough was enough and being away from his family any longer became intolerable.
"This is the first time I've ever made family involved in a decision and it feels really good", said Hanlon about coming back to Vancouver for his family. "My son wants me home and I want to be home. I want to be involved in hockey and I want to work as
an assistant coach".
He might not be the head coach of a team, but landing a position as assistant coach of Vancouver Dodgers, which is a minor league hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL), is much better for Hanlon as long as family is close by.
Born in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, Hanlon played 15 seasons in the NHL with Vancouver Canucks along with St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and finished off his career with Washington Capitals in 2003.
Throughout his coaching career, his son has been a motivational factor for him, and now he is focused on spending time with his family now.
"Every decision in hockey from the time I've likely been eight-years-old has been about moving up and trying to get to the NHL", Hanlon said. "I've missed out on the raising of my son for three or four years and now I'm having an opportunity to maybe correct
that a bit".
Now serving as an assistant coach in the WHL, Hanlon hopes it will slowly open doors for him to coaching in the NHL which has always been a dream for him, but for now, he is determined on bringing a Memorial Cup to Vancouver.
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