US ice hockey defenseman Nick Bailen has agreed to obtain Belarusian citizenship and play for Team Belarus.
The 24-year-old player joined Belarus' flagship team Dinamo Minsk this summer after a successful season with Finland's Tappara. He has yet to play his first official game for the Belarusian club.
Dinamo General Manager Uladzimir Berazhkow expressed hope that Mr. Bailen and Canadian-born forward Charles Linglet, who was granted Belarusian citizenship in early 2012, would help Team Belarus qualify for the 2018 Olympics.
The national team lacks high-quality defensemen at present, said the former journalist.
Mr. Berazhkow said that the US defenseman had not demanded anything in return for receiving Belarusian citizenship.
