A few quick notes on Rob Blake, who was named on Wednesday as the general manager of Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2014 IIHF World Championships. The tournament, held between May 9 and 25 in Minsk, Belarus, will feature a collection of players whose club seasons have ended at the time of the tournament. As the timing of the World Championships overlap what would be the second and third rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, obviously Blake, whose first priority is with the Kings, is hoping that an extended Los Angeles postseason will make him rearrange some of his travel plans.
Having previously served as Canada’s Assistant General Manager at the 2011 World Championships, being named to his current position is a very high honor.
“It’s always something that I’ve taken advantage of, of the opportunity with Canada,” Blake told LA Kings Insider. “As a player – and I also did it as an assistant GM a couple years ago – it’s an opportunity, and I’ve always enjoyed it, so I’m looking forward to this one.”
It also works in concert with his responsibilities with the Kings.
“As soon as I was approached to do it, I talked to Dean right away,” he said. “He said ‘this is great’ because you get to experience other players. You get to know these players in and out. It’s something that you might contact down the road someday and you’re also scouting over there with all the European countries and different players.”
Canada opens the tournament against France on May 9 and will also face the Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Slovakia and Sweden in the preliminary round.
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