Misha Donskov has been appointed as head coach of Canada’s national teams for the next two men’s world championships and the 2027 World Junior Championship. This announcement was made by Hockey Canada on Thursday.
Donskov’s Coaching Background
The 49-year-old coach from London, Ontario, will mark his international coaching debut at the men’s world championship set to take place from May 15 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. Donskov has a notable coaching history, including serving as an assistant at key tournaments.
- Gold medal at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
- Silver medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
- Bronze medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship.
Prior to his new role, Donskov worked with Canada’s hockey program, mainly as a video coach, before being hired as vice-president of hockey operations and men’s national team coach on June 27, 2025.
NHL Experience
In the NHL, Donskov has spent over three years (2020-2023) as an assistant coach and four years (2016-2020) as the director of hockey operations with the Vegas Golden Knights. His tenure in Vegas culminated in a Stanley Cup victory in 2023. He served two seasons as an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars from 2023 to 2025 before moving to Hockey Canada full-time.
Future Plans
Hockey Canada is expected to announce additional members of the coaching staff for the upcoming 2026 world championship shortly. Donskov’s leadership is anticipated to influence the Canadian teams positively in their international competitions.
As preparations begin, the focus will be on building a strong roster and a cohesive strategy to excel at both the men’s world championships and the 2027 World Junior Championship.
