Team Canada has announced that former Rocket Richard winner Rick Nash will serve as the team’s general manager at the World Championship (Twitter link). Nash served as an assistant general manager on Canada’s 2022 World Championship roster that would go on to earn a silver medal.
This will be Nash’s first foray into general managing, though he’s been in the Columbus Blue Jackets front office since the 2019-20 season – serving as a special assistant to the general manager for two years before taking on the Director of Player Development title that he holds today.
Nash, 39, is pursuing a managerial career after a very successful 15 years in the NHL. He was one of the league’s most potent goal-scorers through the mid-2000’s, managing three different 40-goal seasons between 2003 and 2015. Nash remains Columbus’ franchise leader in goals (289), assists (258), and points (547) – carrying a 145-point lead over Cam Atkinson in second place. He has achieved plenty on the top stage, including winning the Rocket Richard for his 41-goal season in 2003-04, winning two Olympic gold medals, and even winning a championship and MVP title in Switzerland’s National League during the 2004-05 lockout.
Nash has also been highly acclaimed at the World Championship, winning a gold medal and MVP award at the 2007 World Championship and serving as Team Canada’s captain in 2011, his last appearance at the tourney. He’ll now return 13 years later, as Canada looks to build on their gold medal win last season.