Doug Armstrong steps down as Canada’s Olympic men’s hockey GM

A changing of the guard is set for one of international hockey’s superpowers.

In an interview with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Doug Armstrong stated that he is stepping down as general manager of Canada’s Olympic Men’s Hockey Team.

“It’s time for a change,” Armstrong said in the interview. “I’ve enjoyed every aspect of it. Obviously, you wish you could go out on top. But it would be selfish to want to do it again. It’s such a great experience, and I think more people should enjoy it.”

Armstrong has been in charge of the men’s national program for the last few years, and has had his hand in Canada winning gold at the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championship, as well as putting together the team that took home the title at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February.

The Sarnia, Ont. native was the GM for Canada as NHLers prepared to return to the Winter Games in Milan this year. The Canadians looked like a dominant force that was on a path to the gold medal, but was upended in a thrilling final that saw the United States prevail in overtime.

Armstrong noted that he enjoyed everything about the Olympic experience, except the final score.

“I wouldn’t change anything except the outcome,” Armstrong told The Athleitc. “Getting to know the coaches that I got to meet and work with and watch operate, the training staff, the best of the best that Canada has to offer, the medical team and the equipment staff and the rest of the management group — I really enjoyed it.”

While it’s too early to tell who will take charge of the men’s national team, especially with the World Cup of Hockey coming in two years’ time. Yet, Armstrong believes there’s a particular superstar who would be a great fit for the role, when the time comes.

“I hope one day that [Sidney Crosby] manages [Canada]. He’s got great hockey knowledge. He’s got experience. He’s got passion. He’s got drive. There’s a purpose to everything that he does. And, quite honestly, I see a lot of that in Connor McDavid, too.”

Armstrong has been the lead executive of Canada’s men’s team since 2021, as he was put in charge of piecing the roster that would’ve competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. However, due to another COVID-19 outbreak ahead of the Winter Games, the NHL decided to pull the plug on allowing its players to compete. Armstrong was also the GM of Team Canada at the 2016 World Cup, which took home the title after beating Team Europe in the final.

Armstrong is also the first person to be part of the Double Triple Gold Club in management, serving as part of the management staff of the Dallas Stars’ run to the Stanley Cup in 1999, while guiding the St. Louis Blues to the Cup 20 years later. He was also an assistant GM of Canada’s Men’s Olympic teams in 2010 and 2014, both taking home the gold medal, plus playing the role of senior advisor of the 2007 and 2016 Men’s Worlds teams.

Armstrong is also set to retire from his post as GM of the Blues this summer, making way for Alex Steen.