CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada announced on Monday that Steve Yzerman will renew his role as general manager of Canada’s National Men’s Team for the 2008 IIHF World Championship, May 2-18, 2008 in Quebec City, QC and Halifax, NS.
In addition, it was also announced the Doug Armstrong and Luc Robitaille will hold the positions of assistant general manager for Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Championship, the first time the flagship event of the International Ice Hockey Federation will come to Canada.
Steve Yzerman, from Nepean, ON, was Canada’s general manager at the 2007 IIHF World Championship in Moscow, Russia, leading Canada to a perfect 9-0 record and its third gold medal in five years. He also represented Canada as a player on eight occasions, winning gold medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics and 1984 Canada Cup, silver medals at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, 1989 IIHF World Championship and 1985 World Championship, and a bronze medal at the 1983 IIHF World Junior Championship. He also wore the maple leaf at the 1998 Winter Olympics and 1990 IIHF World Championship, where he was named Top Forward by the IIHF Directorate.
Yzerman retired prior to the 2005-06 NHL season after a 22-year career, all with the Detroit Red Wings. He spent 20 seasons as the Red Wings’ captain, one of the longest serving captains in professional sports history. Yzerman finished his career with 1,755 points, the sixth-highest total in NHL history, and won three Stanley Cups (1997, 19). He is currently in his second season as the vice-president and alternate governor with the Red Wings, working closely with their front office staff.
Doug Armstrong, who spent the past seven seasons as the general manager of the Dallas Stars, and another nine as the Stars’ assistant general manager, will join Canada’s staff for the third time at an IIHF World Championship. He was a special advisor under Yzerman for the 2007 tournament, and was assistant general manager at the 2002 IIHF World Championship in Sweden.
Luc Robitaille, who retired at the end of the 2005-06 season after 19 seasons in the NHL, represented Canada as a player on three occasions – 1994 IIHF World Championship (gold), 1991 Canada Cup (gold) and 1986 IIHF World Junior Championship (silver) – but this will be his first time representing Canada in a management role.
The Montreal, QC native is in his first season as the president of business operations for the Los Angeles Kings, with whom Robitaille spent 15 of his 19 seasons. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the Kings, and works closely with the Kings’ front office.
Yzerman, Armstrong and Robitaille will work closely with Johnny Misley, Hockey Canada’s Executive Vice-President, Hockey Operations, to oversee Canada’s player evaluation and team selection prior to the start of the 2008 IIHF World Championship. They will also be responsible for the selection of Canada’s coaching staff, which will be named in the coming months.
“Working with Hockey Canada and their staff for the world championship last year was a terrific experience, and I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to return,” Yzerman said. “Over the coming months, myself, Doug and Luc will be looking to name a coaching staff and players that will give Canada the best chance to defend their gold medal in Quebec City in May.”
“Hockey Canada is very excited that Steve Yzerman has agreed to return as Canada’s general manager for the 2008 IIHF World Championship, the first-ever world championship to be held in Canada,” said Misley. “We are confident that Steve will provide us with the leadership we need to help Canada stay on top of the hockey world.”
Canada opens the 2008 IIHF World Championship on Friday, May 2nd against Slovenia at the Halifax Metro Centre. All of Canada’s games will be broadcast live by TSN/RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada.