Vladimir Kopat

Vladimir Kopat (born April 23, 1971 in Minsk) is a Belarusian retired defenceman who is currently the assistant coach of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and of the Kazakhstani National Team.

Kopat is best known for the goal he scored in the 2002 Olympic Games' quarterfinals against Sweden. With 17:35 minutes played in a game tied 3-3, Kopat skated in the neutral zone and took a shot half-way between the red line and Sweden's blue line. The shot hit Tommy Salo's mask, bounced on his back then entered the net, a totally unexpected twist of fate for the Tre Kronor, who had been dominant throughout the whole tournament, unlike Belarus, who entered the tournament as an underdog. That win was most certainly one of the greatest moment in the history of ice hockey in that country.

Kopat played for Belarus at the 1994 and 1995 World Championships "Pool C", 1996 World Championship "Pool B", 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006 World Championships, 2002 Olympics and at the 2002 World Championship Division I.

Kopat was the assistant coach of Belarus at the 2016 World U18 Championship Division IA, 2017 World U18 Championship and at the 2017 World Junior Championship Division IA. He was also the assistant coach of Kazakhstan at the 2019 World Championship Division IA.