Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke will try to help USA Hockey back to the top of the podium at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. (Chris Carlson/Associated Press)

Brian Burke is taking on a new challenge as a general manager, but it doesn't involve him leaving his position with the Anaheim Ducks.

USA Hockey announced Friday that Burke has been selected to lead the United States' entry at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The organization also named Nashville Predators GM David Poile as an associate general manager for the American squad.

Burke, the executive vice-president and general manager of the Ducks, led the team to the 2007 Stanley Cup championship, and is widely considered one of the best GMs in the NHL.

"We could not be more pleased than to have Brian as our general manager," USA Hockey president Ron DeGregorio said in a statement.

"His record of accomplishment speaks for itself. Brian's drive and fire for the game rub off on you and it's that type of passion that will help lead us to our ultimate goal of winning the gold medal."

Burke served in a similar role with the U.S. Men's national team at the 1993 IIHF World Hockey Championship in Munich and Dortmund, Germany, where the Americans finished sixth.

"I'm very grateful and honoured to be part of the U.S. Olympic Team," Burke said Friday in a statement. "We hope to put a team together for 2010 that Americans can be proud of."

Burke led the Ducks to a 138-74-24 record this season but his contract status has fuelled rampant speculation that he'll be on the move. His contract expires at the end of next season and he has been repeatedly linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are seeking a permanent successor to interim GM Cliff Fletcher.

Poile has served as general manager of the Predators since the franchise's debut in 1997 and also currently serves as the president of hockey operations. He was GM of the 1998 and 1999 American teams at the hockey world championship.

The U.S. hasn't won Olympic hockey gold since the Miracle on Ice at the 1980 Games in Lake Placid. The best result since was a silver medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

With files from the Associated Press