Report: Stars’ Misha Donskov to be named Canadian national team coach

Dallas Stars assistant coach Misha Donskov is set to join the coaching ranks with the Canadian national team, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Donskov will serve as the bench boss for the Canadian squad at the IIHF World Championship next spring, as well as an associate coach at the 2026 World Juniors in Minnesota and an assistant coach at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Donskov will also serve as vice-president of hockey operations with Hockey Canada.

The 48-year-old Montreal native has served as an NHL assistant coach for the past six seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights and Stars. In 2023, under head coach Bruce Cassidy, Donskov helped the Golden Knights capture their first-ever Stanley Cup title. Of note, Donskov’s time in the NHL also counts past consulting stints with the Columbus Blue Jackets as well as the former Atlanta Thrashers.

Prior to joining the pro ranks, Donskov was part of the Canadian junior circuit counting three seasons as an assistant coach with the OHL’s London Knights and two years as associate coach with the Ottawa 67’s. In 2012, Donskov helped the Knights claim the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL playoff champions.

Donskov’s decorated international resume counts three-time gold-medal recognition at the IIHF World Championship, in 2016 and 2015 plus a first-place finish with the women’s squad in 2011. Donskov also took home gold at the 2013 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, 2015 World Juniors, 2016 World Cup of Hockey, 2019 Spengler Cup, and most recently at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, six players have been named to Canada’s preliminary roster including Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart, Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point, plus Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche.