The official website of Dinamo Minsk has published the following message from KHL President Alexander Medvedev to Marek Sikora, after the Czech specialist announced his retirement from coaching.

“Please allow me to say a few warm words to you regarding the news of the end of your career as a coach. Over the course of three KHL seasons you took charge of two of the League’s clubs – Avtomobilist of Yekaterinburg and Dinamo Minsk. Under your guidance these teams without exception battled their way into the play-offs for the Gagarin Cup, and this speaks volumes about your professionalism and expertise in your trade. In the time you have spent working with Russian and Belarusian clubs you have made an enormous contribution to the development of hockey throughout both Belarus and the Russian Federation.

On behalf of the Kontinental Hockey League I wish to express the most sincere gratitude for your hard work and your personal contribution in the formation and development of the KHL and the strengthening of its prestige. I also hope that even after the finish of your coaching career you will stay in touch with hockey and draw strength and lifelong energy from the game,” – said the Kontinental Hockey League chief.