The man who put one European nation on the international hockey map will try to do so with another.
Ted Nolan has been hired as head coach of the Polish men's national hockey team, the IIHF announced Wednesday.
The former Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders bench boss took over the Latvian program in 2011 and helped it make great strides, including a quarterfinal appearance at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, where it put forth a strong showing in a 2-1 loss to Canada.
Nolan also coached Latvia at the World Championships from 2012-14.
Poland's men's team is ranked 20th internationally and will attempt to qualify for the 2019 worlds next spring.
“I love challenges," Nolan said upon arriving in Poland this week. "I’ve always been an underdog my whole life. When this opportunity came and seeing where Polish hockey has been for a while, hopefully I can make a difference and rise up to a higher level. I’m really looking forward. It’s probably my biggest challenge to date and my biggest excitement to date."
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