Andy Murray's masterful handling of Team Canada at the ice hockey world championship has made him the leading candidate to guide the country at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Hockey Canada boss Bob Nicholson said on Sunday.

Just hours before unbeaten Canada was to meet Finland in the world championship title game, Nicholson tipped Murray as the top contender for the Olympic job in Vancouver where hockey mad Canadians will be demanding nothing less than a gold medal.

"There are a lot of different considerations you have to look when it comes to an Olympics but it would be wrong if he (Murray) is not near the top or at the top right now," Nicholson told Reuters.

"There's absolutely no question he's on the short list.

Murray has managed to keep his squad focused on the task of bringing home a gold medal despite the controversy surrounding Shane Doan's selection as team captain following allegations that he insulted the country's Francophone minority.

"The whole thing, controlling the event is going to be so important in Vancouver because it is going to be such a big event," said Nicholson. "I know he (Murray) is a guy who pays attention to detail and is very focused on the task.

"I think it's pretty easy to go to Andy right now any time we're looking at and international event."

Murray's international resume is impressive, posting a record of 26-4-4 from four world championships going into Sunday's final.

He has also found steady employment in the NHL, having just completed his first season as head coach of the St. Louis Blues after six years with the Los Angeles Kings.