Hockey Canada names Blues’ Doug Armstrong GM for 2022 Olympic team

Assuming NHL players participate in the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Team Canada’s men’s team will be led by a management group headed by St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong.

Hockey Canada announced Wednesday that Armstrong has been named GM of the management team. Joining Armstrong in the group are NHL executives Ken Holland (associate general manager, Edmonton Oilers), Ron Francis (assistant general manager, Seattle Kraken), Roberto Luongo (assistant general manager, Florida Panthers) and Don Sweeney (assistant general manager, Boston Bruins) and senior vice president of national teams Scott Salmond.

The management group will be overseen by Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney and president/COO Scott Smith.

“It is an exciting time to be able to introduce the members of Canada’s management group, who each bring a tremendous amount of international and championship experience that will benefit our team if NHL players are able to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics,” Renney said. “Under Doug’s leadership, as well as that of our entire management group, we’re thrilled to task them to lead us into 2022, with the opportunity to oversee our staff and players as they compete for an Olympic gold medal.”

Armstrong was part of the management group in 2010 and 2014, when Canada twice won gold, but will serve as GM for the first time. He was GM when Canada won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey championship and served in various roles when Canada won gold medals at the IIHF World Championship in 2007 and 2016 and the silver medal in 2008 and 2009.

The management group will select Team Canada’s coaching and support staff at the 2022 Games in Beijing, China.