Kyle Dubas joins Canada’s Men’s World Championship team as associate GM

On Friday, Hockey Canada announced that current Pittsburgh Penguins general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas has been added as an associate GM for Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championships. 

Rick Nash was named GM of Team Canada back in March. 

Dubas, 38, wrapped up his first season as Penguins GM and president of hockey operations. Pittsburgh missed the playoffs for the second straight year. 

Before that, Dubas served as GM for the Toronto Maple Leafs for five seasons after being in the role of assistant GM and American Hockey League GM for four. He brought Toronto to the postseason in all five seasons and was a huge part of the club breaking its 19-year playoff series victory drought by getting past the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023. 

Dubas will get his first taste of management at the international level, working alongside Nash, Scott Salmond, Doug Armstrong and Ryan Getzlaf. They will also receive input for player selection from Jim McKenzie, Jamie Pushor and Tim Taylor.

“I am excited to welcome Kyle to our management group for this year’s world championship, and to have Jim, Jamie and Tim assist with our player selection process. Kyle brings a wealth of professional experience, and we know he will be an invaluable member of our staff that will greatly benefit our team,” Nash said in a statement released by Hockey Canada. “As we continue preparations and begin selecting our coaching staff, support staff and roster, I know Kyle and our selection committee will play an integral role in ensuring we assemble a team that gives us the best chance to defend gold in Czechia.”

Team Canada roster updates: According to Darren Dreger, a few players confirmed their involvement in the tournament on Friday, including defenseman Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres), and forwards Dawson Mercer (New Jersey Devils) and Jared McCann (Seattle Kraken), who’ll join names like Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks) and Macklin Celebrini (2024 draft eligible) on Team Canada’s roster.

Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) is also considering his invite, while Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens) and Travis Konecny (Philadelphia Flyers) have both opted out.

Canada will open the tournament against Great Britain on May 11 and will also face Denmark, Austria, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Czechia in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with medal games on May 26.