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Kyle Dubas and Julien BriseBois appointed to Team Canada management group
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    Kyle Dubas and Julien BriseBois appointed to Team Canada management group

    Team Canada is bringing more NHL experience to its management group.

    Hockey Canada added Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois and Pittsburgh Penguins general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas to its management groups for the 4 Nations Face-Off and Winter Olympics, the organization announced Tuesday.

    BriseBois and Dubas will serve as assistant general manager and director of player personnel, respectively, for both international tournaments.

    At the 4 Nations Face-Off, organized by the NHL as the first international best-on-best tournament since 2016, the two front office veterans will join Boston Bruins’ Don Sweeney, tapped to be general manager, and Dallas Stars’ Jim Nill, who will serve as an associate GM.

    “Jim and I are thrilled to have Julien and Kyle join our management group for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and to work alongside them as we prepare for the Olympics,” Sweeney said in a statement released by Hockey Canada. “Both are successful NHL general managers that bring a wealth of knowledge, many years of experience at the professional level and great leadership skills that will be beneficial to our coaches, support staff and players.”

    Sweeney, Nill, BriseBois and Dubas will work under St. Louis Blues’ Doug Armstrong, serving as the Olympic team GM, to prepare for the 2026 Olympics, alongside two-time Olympic gold medallist Ryan Getzlaf, serving as player relations advisor.

    “Both Julien and Kyle have enjoyed long and successful careers, and we believe their experience and knowledge of NHL players will be a great addition to our staff as we continue to evaluate Canadian players and build rosters for international competition,” Armstrong added in Hockey Canada’s statement.

    Dubas, 38, previously served as associate GM for Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, where his squad earned fourth place.

    BriseBois, 47, is making his managerial debut on the international stage. Despite this, the two-time Stanley Cup winning GM will be supported by a familiar face, as his head coach, Jon Copper, was selected to run the bench in both tournaments.

    Canada’s remaining roster, as well as assistant coaches and support staff, for 4 Nations will be named between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2. Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand, Brayden Point and Cale Makar were chosen as Canada’s first six roster additions in June.

    Canada will open the 4 Nations tournament against Sweden on Feb. 12.

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    Hockey fans across Canada were buzzing with excitement as news broke that Kyle Dubas and Julien BriseBois had been appointed to the Team Canada management group for the upcoming international tournaments. Dubas, the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and BriseBois, the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, are two of the brightest minds in the NHL and their addition to the management group is sure to bring a new level of expertise and strategy to Team Canada.

    Dubas, known for his analytical approach to team building and player development, has been instrumental in transforming the Maple Leafs into a competitive team in the highly competitive Eastern Conference. His keen eye for talent and innovative thinking have made him a sought-after executive in the hockey world, and his presence on the Team Canada management group will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the team’s performance.

    BriseBois, on the other hand, has been a key figure in the Lightning’s recent success, helping to build a powerhouse team that has consistently been a top contender for the Stanley Cup. His experience in managing a successful NHL franchise will be invaluable to Team Canada as they prepare for international competition.

    The appointment of Dubas and BriseBois to the Team Canada management group is a clear signal that Hockey Canada is committed to assembling a top-tier team that will be capable of competing with the best in the world. With their expertise and leadership, Team Canada is poised to make a strong showing in upcoming tournaments and bring home some hardware for their country.

    Fans can expect to see a well-coached and well-prepared Team Canada take the ice under the guidance of Dubas and BriseBois. Their strategic thinking and attention to detail will be evident in every aspect of the team’s performance, from player selection to in-game tactics.

    Overall, the addition of Kyle Dubas and Julien BriseBois to the Team Canada management group is a positive development for Canadian hockey fans. With their leadership and expertise, Team Canada is well-positioned to make a strong showing in international competition and bring pride to their country.