Sydney Bears Coach Vlad Rubes has officially been announced as the Head Coach of the Australian National Mens Team for the upcoming IIHF’s 2011 World Men’s Division II Group A Championships at the Docklands Ice House in Melbourne.
 
Capping off a terrific week for the two-time premiership winning coach, after securing a place in the playoffs this week with an emphatic 11-0 victory over the Canberra Knights, Rubes will be looking for the Gold Medal to promote the Mighty Roos to Division I in 2012.
 
The appointment comes at the back of a ninth consecutive season as the Head Coach of the Sydney Bears, where he has recorded the most wins, and the highest win percentage of any Bears coach, failing to make the finals only once in 2009.
 
In that time he has recorded two premierships, one minor premiership, and eight consecutive finals appearances.
 
Rubes has previously coached the Australian U 18s side with two World Championship  Division Three Gold Medals, and a Division 2 bronze medal between 2000-2006 as well a silver and Bronze in the Asia Oceania U18 World Championships.
 
Rubes has extensive playing experience for his adopted country, winning a Division II gold medal in 2008, as well as two Silvers and four Bronze, picking up Australia’s MVP in 2004 and Division II’s Best Forward.
 
Coupled with overseas coaching and playing experience across the Czech Republic and the United States, with major roles in coaching, including a role as Head Coach at HC Benesov, Coaching Director at Canterbury Eagles and Assistant Coach as HC Bohemians.
 
The last time the World Championships was held in Australia, Australia won, beating China 1-0 in the Final, a team Rubes was playing for.