Las Vegas Franchise Names Director of Hockey Operations

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Misha Donskov has been named the Las Vegas NHL franchise’s Director of Hockey Operations, majority owner Bill Foley announced on Monday.

Donskov, 39, arrives in Las Vegas after being named an assistant coach with Hockey Canada’s men’s national teams in July. Before that, he served as Hockey Canada’s Manager of Hockey Operations, Analytics & Video since 2014. During his time with Hockey Canada, Donskov has won four gold medals, including the 2016  International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship, the 2015 IIHF World Championship, the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship and in 2013 with the Under-18 team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He also won a bronze medal at the 2014 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.

During his time with Hockey Canada, Donskov has won four gold medals, including the 2016  International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship, the 2015 IIHF World Championship, the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship and in 2013 with the Under-18 team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He also won a bronze medal at the 2014 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.

Before becoming part of Hockey Canada, Donskov spent five years in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in various coaching and managerial roles with the London Knights and Ottawa 67’s.  In 2012, the Knights won the OHL championship.

Gerge McPhee (left) was named as the franchise's first general manager in July.
George McPhee (left) became the franchise’s first general manager in July.

Donskov is known for his work in analytics and has served in various roles at the NHL level, from community development to scouting, for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Atlanta Thrashers, before starting to work in the OHL.

The NHL’s 31st franchise is still without a name, but that has not stopped Foley from beginning to build the team’s front office leading up to next summer’s expansion draft. After George McPhee was announced as the team’s general manager in July, Kelly McCrimmon was brought on as assistant general manager in August. Last Thursday, Foley announced that Wil Nichol was hired as the team’s director of player development.