Coach Profile: Misha Donskov

Photo: NHL.com

In case you missed it, the Dallas Stars named Misha Donskov as an assistant coach on August 7, 2023. Donskov will join head coach Pete DeBoer’s coaching staff, which includes assistant coaches Steve Spott and Alain Nasreddine, goaltending coach Jeff Reese, head video coach Patrick Dolan, and assistant video coach Chris Demczuk.

Previously, Donskov spent seven years with the Vegas Golden Knights from 2016-2023. The 46-year-old served as director of hockey operations for his first three years with the Golden Knights before becoming an assistant coach for the remaining four years. He joined the Golden Knights before their expansion draft — and as a result, helped create their Stanley Cup Final roster in their inaugural season in 2017-18. He also served as an assistant coach and manager of hockey operations/analytics with Hockey Canada’s Men’s National Team from 2015-16, an associate coach with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s from 2012-14, and an assistant coach with the OHL’s London Knights from 2009-2012. He helped the London Knights to an OHL championship in his final season with the team.

Before pursuing a full-time hockey career, Donskov worked with Cardinal Health, a Fortune 500 global integrated healthcare solutions company. His roles were increasing responsibility in finance, sales, and sales management. He has a master’s degree in kinesiology with a specialization in coaching education from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 24, 1977, Donskov holds dual citizenship. His father is Russian, and his mother is American. His family operates Donskov Hockey Development in Columbus, Ohio.

Donskov may be a quiet man in the public eye, but his big contributions can grab anyone’s attention. Do you think he’s a great fit for the Stars?


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Ana Kieu

Ana Kieu is a journalist by trade. Her love for sports shows in her writing, editing, and podcasting work. She writes about the NHL for Inside The Rink.

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