Pleau, Waddell to lead U.S.

NEW YORK (AP) -- St. Louis Blues general manager Larry Pleau was chosen Wednesday to be the U.S. national team's GM at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Pleau was the assistant general manager when the United States won the silver medal at the 2002 Olympics. He has been involved with U.S. hockey as a player, coach and administrator.

He picked Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell to be his assistant at the eight-nation tournament next summer. Pleau and Waddell will also head the American team for the world championship earlier next year in the Czech Republic.

Wayne Gretzky and Edmonton Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe were recently chosen to lead Canada's World Cup team.

The World Cup is returning after an eight-year absence. The United States won the first tournament in 1996.

Pleau was GM Craig Patrick's assistant for the Salt Lake City Olympics. It was the first Olympic hockey medal for the United States since the "Miracle On Ice" team won gold in 1980.

Pleau, an assistant coach for the U.S. team in 1989, played in the 1968 Olympics, the 1969 world championship the 1976 Canada Cup.

His first task as GM will be to choose a coach to replace Herb Brooks, who died in a car accident in August. Brooks coached the United States at the 1980 and 2002 Olympics.

The roster, made up of NHL players, will be selected next year.

Pleau became the Blues' GM in 1997 and recently signed a contract extension through 2005-06. The team had the NHL's best record in 1999-00.

Waddell was also the assistant GM for the 1999 national team and the GM for the 2001 and 2002 teams. He has been Atlanta's GM since it joined the NHL in 1999.