OTTAWA, ON – Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson announced on Saturday that Steve Yzerman (Nepean, ON) has been named executive director of Canada’s National Men’s Olympic Team for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC.

Steve Yzerman, vice-president of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, will be making his third appearance as a member of management with Team Canada. Yzerman was Canada’s general manager at the past two IIHF World Championships, leading the team to gold in 2007 and silver in 2008.

Yzerman, who retired from the NHL in 2006, represented Canada on eight occasions as a player, including at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games when he helped Canada win its first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey in 50 years.

“Hockey Canada is going to Vancouver to make all Canadians proud in 2010 and Steve is just the person to lead us,” said Bob Nicholson. “Steve is well respected throughout the hockey world for good reason. He has served this country whenever called upon and we are thrilled that he will be leading our Men’s Olympic Team in 2010.”

Yzerman will work with Nicholson and Johnny Misley, Hockey Canada’s executive vice-president of hockey operations, along with a management staff, in putting together Canada’s team for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Yzerman also announced three individuals to a management staff on Saturday, a staff which will include: associate directors Ken Holland (Vernon, BC/ Detroit Red Wings) and Kevin Lowe (Lachute, QC), and director of player personnel/ general manager of Team Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Championship Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON).

Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON), assistant general manager of the St. Louis Blues, was Canada’s assistant general manager at the 2008 IIHF World Championship in Halifax and Quebec City. He also served as special advisor to Yzerman at the 2007 IIHF World Championship and assistant general manager for Canada at the 2002 IIHF World Championship. As a member of the management staff, Armstrong will serve as director of player personnel and as Canada’s general manager at the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, which will be held April 24 to May 10 in Berne and Zurich-Kloten.

Ken Holland (Vernon, BC), the executive vice-president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, was Canada’s GM at the 2006 IIHF World Championship and Canada’s assistant general manager at the 2005 IIHF World Championship. Holland will serve as an associate director on Men’s Olympic Team management staff.

Kevin Lowe (Lachute, QC), the president of hockey operations for the Edmonton Oilers, was Canada’s assistant executive director at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, 2004 World Cup of Hockey and 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Lowe will serve as an associate director on Men’s Olympic Team management staff.

Yzerman also announced on Saturday that Wayne Gretzky (Brantford, ON) will serve as advisor to the executive director. Gretzky, the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, was Canada’s executive director for the 20 Olympic Winter Games, as well as the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2001 IIHF World Championship.

“I am truly honoured and privileged to take on the role of executive director for Hockey Canada going into 2010,” said Yzerman. “I am also very excited about the group that we have in place, a group that has great experience at both the professional and international level. With support from Bob Nicholson, Johnny Misley and the Hockey Canada team, I know that we have the right mix in place to assemble a team that will make all Canadians proud in 2010.”

Yzerman, Nicholson, Misley and the management staff will be meeting over the coming months to set in motion Team Canada’s operational plans, which will include staff and player announcements, player evaluation and team logistics.