Story Summary
The Edmonton Oilers have hired Misha Donskov as a coaching consultant, the club announced Thursday. Donskov – who joined the Vegas Golden Knights before their 2017-18 inaugural season and was on the coaching staff when the club won the 2023 Stanley Cup – will continue in his Hockey Canada role while joining the Oilers for select days at home each month. He remains slated to coach Canada at next year’s men’s world championship and world junior championship.
Key Facts
- The Edmonton Oilers announced they have hired Misha Donskov as a coaching consultant.
- Donskov joined the Vegas Golden Knights as director of hockey operations prior to their inaugural 2017-18 season and was an assistant coach when they won the 2023 Stanley Cup.
- He spent the two seasons after that as an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars.
- Donskov served on Canadian national-team staffs: assistant on gold-medal team at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and silver at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, and was an associate coach on Canada’s bronze-medal team at the 2026 world junior championship.
- Earlier in his international work he primarily served as a video coach for Canada at several tournaments.
- Hockey Canada hired Donskov as vice-president of hockey operations and men’s national team coach on June 27, 2025.
- The Oilers say Donskov will continue his Hockey Canada role while joining Edmonton for select days at home each month.
- Donskov is slated to coach Canada at next year’s men’s world championship and world junior championship.
IHM Discussion
The Oilers have added a coach with a varied résumé – front-office experience, NHL coaching during a Stanley Cup run, two seasons with Dallas and a long history with Hockey Canada – on a consultative basis. The club’s plan for him to attend select home days each month allows Donskov to continue his Hockey Canada role while giving Edmonton access to his video and tactical experience. The hire adds an experienced international staff member to Edmonton’s wider coaching group without requiring a full-time departure from Hockey Canada.
Why It Matters
For the Oilers, the appointment adds experience from NHL and international hockey environments. Donskov’s background as a video coach and in hockey operations could offer useful perspectives in preparation and analysis. For Donskov, the consultancy allows him to continue his Hockey Canada work while remaining connected to an NHL club.
Mini Q&A
Who is Misha Donskov?
Donskov is a coach and hockey executive who joined the Vegas Golden Knights as director of hockey operations before their 2017-18 season, was an assistant coach when they won the 2023 Stanley Cup, later served two seasons as an assistant with the Dallas Stars, and has an extensive history on Hockey Canada staffs.
What role will he have with the Oilers?
He has been hired as a coaching consultant and will join the Oilers for select days at home each month.
Will he keep his Hockey Canada job?
Yes. Hockey Canada hired Donskov as vice-president of hockey operations and men’s national team coach on June 27, 2025, and the Oilers say he will continue in that role.
Does this affect his national-team commitments?
The club says he will remain with Hockey Canada and Donskov is slated to coach Canada at next year’s men’s world championship and world junior championship.
Coach Mark Comment
Bringing in a consultant with both NHL playoff and international tournament experience can sharpen preparation in short windows. A coach who knows how to translate video analysis into succinct messaging is valuable for busy NHL staffs; the key will be clear remit and fast, actionable feedback to players and coaches on the days he’s present.
What Comes Next
Donskov is tabbed to coach Canada at next year’s men’s world championship and world junior championship. The Oilers say he will continue in his Hockey Canada role while joining Edmonton for select home days each month.