Hockey Canada has announced new additions to its management team for upcoming events.
Julien BriseBois and Kyle Dubas will be joining the group for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics. BriseBois is set to be an assistant GM, while Dubas will take on the role of director of player personnel. For next February’s event, they’ll work alongside Don Sweeney and Jim Nill, with Nill acting as an associate under Sweeney. The following year at the Olympics, they’ll join Nill and Sweeney again, who are assistant GMs under Doug Armstrong.
BriseBois, aged 47, is stepping into his first role with Canada’s national team. He’s been Tampa Bay’s GM since 2018 and led them to Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021. Before becoming GM, he was Tampa’s assistant GM and managed their AHL affiliate from 2010 to 2018. His NHL journey began with the Canadiens as director of hockey operations and later VP of hockey operations from 2003 to 2010 under Bob Gainey.
Dubas, who is younger at age 38, also lacks extensive international experience but has served as an assistant GM once before. He helped build a Canadian team that reached the bronze medal game at the World Championship in 2024 but lost to Sweden—Canada’s first time without a medal since 2018. Fans might find this news exciting yet surprising given his recent appointment as Penguins’ GM after years with the Maple Leafs.
New Roles for BriseBois and Dubas:
BriseBois has been a key figure in Tampa Bay’s success over recent years. His leadership saw them clinch back-to-back Stanley Cups in ’20 and ’21. Now he takes on a new challenge with Hockey Canada—a significant step in his career.
Dubas brings fresh energy despite limited international exposure. His time with Toronto Maple Leafs laid solid groundwork before moving to Pittsburgh Penguins last season.
The inclusion of these two dynamic leaders could bring fresh strategies to Hockey Canada’s future endeavors.
What do you think about these changes?