Mark Messier, seen in this 2007 photo when honoured by the Edmonton Oilers, is about to be named general manager of the Canadian team for the 2010 world hockey championship.Tim Smith
The Moose is taking his next management role with the national team.
Mark Messier will be named Canada's general manager for the 2010 IIHF World Hockey Championship at a press conference on Wednesday morning, a source told The Canadian Press.
Messier currently works in the New York Rangers front office as a special assistant to president Glen Sather.
He retired from the NHL in 2004 and is the league's second-leading scorer of all-time.
Canada opens the world championship on May 8 with a game against Italy in Mannheim, Germany. The medal round will be played in Cologne.
Canada has won silver at the past two world championships, losing to Russia by one goal in both gold-medal games.
Messier was in attendance for the most recent defeat in Bern, Switzerland.