Lanny McDonald Named Assistant Executive Director for Canada's 2001 Men's World Championship Team Will Assist Wayne Gretzky

NR.009.01
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February 16, 2001
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CALGARY. AB - CHA President Bob Nicholson announced Friday that Hockey Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald will assist Men's Olympic Executive Director, Wayne Gretzky, in leading Canada at the 2001 Men's World Hockey Championship, April 28 - in Germany.

Gretzky will oversee the 2001 Men’s World Championship team in Germany as Executive Director.

McDonald, a native of Hanna, Alberta, will be the Assistant Executive Director of Canada’s Men World Hockey Championship Team. McDonald will be involved day to day with the evaluation of eligible players and player selection for Team Canada at the World Hockey Championship.

"Having a person such as Lanny McDonald join our team for the Men’s World Hockey Championship, with his passion for the game and understanding of the evaluation process of players is a tremendous asset for our team, " said Bob Nicholson, CHA President.

McDonald will work closely with Gretzky and Wayne Fleming, Head Coach of the 2001 World Championship team, in the selection of players for the Worlds, as well as looking for players that may potentially gain international experience and represent Canada at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.Fleming is also Vice-president, Hockey for the CHA and Associate Coach of Canada’s 2002 Men’s Olympic Team.

"Lanny brings together experience as both a player and in a management role, and will be able to assist us in building a team that will go for Gold in Germany," said Wayne Gretzky. "I am very pleased to have Lanny join our team and assist in leading our team in the player selection process over the next two months."

Gretzky and McDonald will name an associate coach as well as support staff, in conjunction with Fleming, within the next month and a half.

McDonald, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992, played 1,111 games and 16 seasons in the NHL amassing 1,006 points on 500 goals and 506 assists. He played in four NHL All-Star games, won the Bill Masterton Trophy (1982-83), the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (1987-88) and was named the NHL Man-of-the-Year in 1988-89.

"I am very honored and excited to be appointed today as the Assistant Executive Director to Team Canada for the Men’s World Championship, " said McDonald. "Anytime you have the opportunity to represent your country on the world stage, it is in deed a privilege."

McDonald previously represented Canada during International play on three occasions: 1976 Canada Cup, 1979 Challenge Cup and the 1981 World Hockey Championship.

Canada will open the 2001 World Hockey Championship on Saturday, April 28 versus Norway. Canada will be based in Hannover, Germany for the Championship, with the other sites being Cologne and Nurnberg. Canada won the World Hockey Championship twice in the 1990’s (1994, 1997) and has reached the semi-finals the past two years.

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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