Liberal MP and legendary goalie Ken Dryden has defended a motion demanding Hockey Canada explain why Shane Doan was named captain of Canada's world championship team.

Doan, a right-winger for the Phoenix Coyotes, allegedly made derogatory remarks toward a French-Canadian linesman during an NHL game in December 2005.

"Hockey Canada receives some money from the federal government, so it's proper for the federal government to ask questions of Hockey Canada," Dryden told CTV's Mike Duffy Live.

But he added: "It's up to Hockey Canada to decide who the captain is of Team Canada ... It's not up to us."

Hockey Canada receives more than $1 million in federal funding from Ottawa.

Meanwhile, Hockey Canada officials have agreed to discuss the decision in front of a House of Commons committee.

Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson, chairman Rene Marcil, and senior director Brad Pascall will go before the House of Commons' Official Languages Committee on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the Conservatives, Liberals, and NDP supported a Bloc Quebecois motion demanding officials from Hockey Canada and Sport Canada appear before the House of Commons to defend why they made Doan captain of the national team at the IIHF championships in Russia.

Hockey officials were not forced to testify but had they refused to appear, subpoenas could have been issued.

Sport Canada, which is responsible for Hockey Canada, receives $150 million in federal funding.

Doan has denied the allegations; however the NHL linesman involved maintains Doan called him a "F---ing Frenchman."

"I'd rather you call me the worst hockey player in the world and say that I don't deserve to be on the team," Doan said after a team practice in Mytischi, Russia earlier this week.

"Anything like that, that's fine. You can say whatever you want.

"But don't question my character. Don't question the basis of what I am."

Doan told The Canadian Press his comments had to do with four French-Canadian referees, but that he did not use any slur.

He said he was only trying to calm down goaltender Curtis Joseph during a game against Montreal. Joseph had been angry a penalty had not been called against the Canadiens.

Doan said he told Joseph: "Four French referees in Montreal, Cuje, figure it out."

He added that he would have made the same comment if the game was in Calgary and "it was four Westerners."

Team Canada Coach Andy Murray defended Doan and his nationalism.

"He's leaving four kids to come over here. He's done enough that he probably had the right to maybe say no and he never has said no to Canada."

Doan has sued one Liberal parliamentarian for defamation, claiming he has been falsely accused of making anti-French comments.

The case against Denis Coderre is still before the courts, and Coderre has counter-sued.

Doan, 30, won gold medals playing for Canada at the world championships in 2003 and 2004.

With files from the Canadian Press