Kyle Dubas one of two GMs to join Hockey Canada staff

The Four Nations Cup, hosted by the National Hockey League, is set to take place from February 12-20, 2025, featuring teams from Canada, the United States, Finland, and Sweden. As rosters for each country are gradually being unveiled, Hockey Canada has also shared key appointments for their executive and management team for the tournament.

In a recent announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Hockey Canada revealed that Tampa Bay General Manager Julien Brisebois has been named assistant general manager for the tournament. Additionally, Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas has been appointed Director of Player Personnel.

Brisebois' appointment is widely regarded as a logical choice, given his track record of success at various levels. He played a pivotal role in leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021. Brisebois also has a history of success at the American Hockey League level, contributing to championship teams with the Norfolk Admirals.

On the other hand, Dubas' selection has raised some eyebrows. While he is known for his talent identification and team-building skills, Dubas has yet to secure a championship at the professional level. His tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs was marked by the assembly of competitive teams that, despite high expectations, fell short of the ultimate goal. Now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dubas will look to bring his keen eye for talent to the international stage.

Despite the different trajectories of Brisebois and Dubas, their appointments highlight Hockey Canada's commitment to leveraging a diverse range of experiences and perspectives in their quest for success at the Four Nations Cup.

Whether Hockey Canada can build a team to triumph in the Four Nations Cup remains to be seen. While a roster filled with pedigree and talent on paper is promising, the tournament itself presents unique challenges. Teams from the United States, Finland, and Sweden are all capable of pulling off surprises. As such, Canada's path to gold will be anything but automatic.