Our Staff
We, the Donskov family, love the game of hockey. It is this passion that fuels us and helps us understand and motivate hockey players. DHD is built on QUALITY instruction. All of our family members have enjoyed successful hockey careers and, more importantly, are superb instructors.
Outstanding qualifications, a strong work ethic, and a genuine concern for teaching and promoting the game of hockey to our athletes, are all characteristics of The DHD Team. Meet our staff!
Paul Donskov, Founder & President | March 7, 1944 - April 15, 2020
BSc, Mechanical Engineering | The University of Toronto
Paul Donskov founded “OV” Hockey and Donskov Hockey Development in May, 2000. He was the Patriarch of the Donskov family. Paul passed away April 15, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Paul was born March 7, 1944 in Belgrade, Serbia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1954 after spending three years in a refugee camp in Trieste, Italy. Following a year in Edmonton, Alberta the family settled in Toronto, Ontario. Paul attended the University of Ottawa and studied Mechanical Engineering. He married Debbie August 6, 1976, in Vancouver, British Columbia. A driven professional, Paul held international business leadership positions with companies across North American and Europe.
In addition, Paul found passion and purpose in hockey. While working professionally in Canada, he was heavily involved with coaching and player development. He was a proud recipient of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (Hockey Canada) level five coaching designation.
Paul and his family relocated to Columbus, Ohio in 1990 from London, Ontario. Paul immediately immersed himself into growing and developing the game in central Ohio– and was critical in the leadership and direction of the Capital Amateur Hockey Association – central Ohio’s first youth hockey organization. During his time with CAHA, Paul served as VP of the Board and Director of Hockey Operations — driving significant growth and development opportunities for local players and families.
Additionally, Paul was involved in the growth of USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program and was a member of the Mid-Am District selection committee. Paul served in various capacities including — General Manager (Worthington Ice Center) and Hockey Director (Lou & Gibb Reese Ice Arena, Newark, Ohio). Under his direction and leadership — Paul drove considerable growth through new grassroots programming and player development initiatives. Paul was a proud member of the Board of Directors for the Ohio “AAA” Blue Jackets. As an original member of the board, he was instrumental in helping grow and develop the program for elite youth hockey players in the city.
In May of 2000, Paul founded “OV” Hockey – now Donskov Hockey Development (DHD). He built the school on three foundational principles – family/friends, education and player development. Through his vision and leadership DHD has been recognized throughout the world as a leader in hockey training, education and instruction – providing thousands of central Ohio youth hockey players world class opportunities and resources to grow their game on and off the ice.
Paul loved spending time with Debbie and loved his family and grandchildren. He enjoyed all sports, history, politics, languages, culture, hockey, skiing, tennis, the outdoors, backyard conversations and his pickup truck. He loved to read and learn – and always placed a strong value on the advancement of self through education. He loved his bicycle and rides with Debbie. Paul was fluent in Russian and Serbian and had a strong understanding of Slavic languages.
In April of 2020 – The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Donskov family created a scholarship program in honor of Paul and his tireless work advancing the game and helping youth hockey players. The Paul Donskov Legacy Scholarship will honor Paul’s lifetime work and the value he placed on education. In addition, this scholarship will honor Paul’s tireless passion to help youth hockey players advance and fulfill their academic and athletic dreams.
Paul was a visionary, builder, and leader. Respected and admired for his loyalty, compassion, intellect, fairness and love. He will always be remembered for his character, integrity, selflessness and dedication to family. Paul will be forever missed and deeply mourned.
Misha Donskov, VP, Hockey Operations | Head Instructor
MA, Kinesiology, Specialization in Coaching Education | The University of Western Ontario
BSc, Business Administration/Finance | Miami (OH) University
As a foundin
g member of “OV’ Hockey and Donskov Hockey Development, Misha Donskov is proud to enter his 25th year working alongside his family. Misha has over 25 years of teaching and coaching experience with players from the mite to professional level. He has worked in high performance for the past fifteen years — including the last eight as a coach and executive in the National Hockey League.
Misha joined the Dallas Stars as an assistant coach on August 7, 2023, after spending seven years with the Vegas Golden Knights. With Vegas, he served as director of hockey operations for his first three years with the club (2016 – 2019) before moving behind the bench as an assistant coach for the following four seasons (2019 – 2023). Having joined the club prior to Vegas’ expansion draft, Misha helped construct the Golden Knights roster that made a run to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season. The Golden Knights made the playoffs in five of the six seasons he spent with the team. After moving from the front office to the coaching staff, Misha and the Golden Knights made two more runs to the conference finals in 2020 and 2021 before winning the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Prior to his time in Vegas, Misha held positions with Hockey Canada’s Men’s National Team as an assistant coach and manager of hockey operations/analytics & video. He served as director of hockey operations/assistant coach for the 2019 Spengler Cup team that won gold. He was named special assistant of coaching operations for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China involving NHL players. Misha won a gold medal at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In addition, he won two IIHF world championship gold medals in 2015 and 2016 and a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2015. Misha also won a gold medal with the 2013 Under-18 Team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and a bronze medal with the 2014 Under-18 Team at the IIHF World Championship. He has served on Canada’s coaching staff for the Canada-Russia Challenge, CHL Subway Series and the Deutschland Cup.
Before his tenure with Hockey Canada, Misha spent two seasons as an associate coach for the Ottawa 67’s (OHL) from 2012 – 2014 after three years as an assistant coach for the London Knights (OHL) from 2009 – 2012. In his final year with London, Misha took on the role of assistant general manager in addition to coaching duties and helped the club to an OHL Championship. In 2011, he won a gold medal with the U.S. Women’s National Team serving as player development coach and advanced scout. From 2004 – 2009, Misha worked with the Atlanta Thrashers as their Lead Hockey Development Instructor & Youth Hockey Coaching Education Consultant. During his five years with the Thrashers, Misha was responsible for building their internal coaching certification program for the Atlanta Thrashes Hockey Development team. In addition, he was responsible for leading all of their youth and adult hockey on ice curriculum in the metro Atlanta marketplace. Prior to his time with Atlanta, Misha was a lead instructor with the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey school (2001 – 2003) and supported their marketing and fan development departments in the central Ohio community.
Before pursuing a career in hockey, Misha spent six years with Cardinal Health, a Fortune 500 global, integrated healthcare solutions company. During his time at Cardinal Health, he held leadership roles of increasing responsibility in finance, sales, and sales management. He played hockey at the junior, university, and semi-professional level in Canada, United States, Sweden and Norway. Misha holds a master’s degree in kinesiology with a specialization in coaching education from the University of Western Ontario, as well as an undergraduate degree in business administration/finance from Miami (Ohio) University. Misha has a Hockey Canada National Coaching Certification Program high performance I and high performance II coaching certification. He is a certified Hockey Canada skills coach and holds a USA Hockey Level V masters coaching certification. Misha currently resides in Frisco, Texas with his wife Amy and their dog Davos.
Learn more about Misha’s coaching and playing career @ Elite Prospects | Click Here
Anthony Donskov, Director, Strength & Conditioning | Head Instructor
PhD, Department of Kinesiology | The University of Western Ontario
MS, Exercise Science |The California University of Pennsylvania
BSc, Business Administration | Miami (OH) University
As a founding member of “OV’ Hockey and Donskov Hockey Development, Anthony is proud to enter his 25th year working alongside his family. He has over 25 years of teaching and coaching experience with players from the mite to professional level. Anthony serves as a Head Instructor/Director of off-ice Training at Donskov Hockey Development.
Anthony Donskov is the founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning Inc. (www.donskovsc.com) located in Columbus, OH where he serves as the Director of Sports Performance. He currently oversees all facets of physical preparation including assessment, program design, exercise protocol, monitoring, and continuing education. Donskov earned a PhD at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario Canada. His research interests include biomechanics, ice hockey performance, and return to play after musculoskeletal injury. In addition, Anthony attained master’s degree in Exercise Science from Cal U of PA and his BSc at Miami (OH) University. Anthony served as an assistant strength coach for the USA Women’s National Ice Hockey team (2010-2014) and has participated as a guest coach for several National Hockey League development camps.
Anthony played two years of minor professional hockey (2001-2003) for the Lubbock Cotton Kings of the Central Hockey League. He was named the 2003 Central Hockey League’s “Man of the Year” for his leadership both on the ice and in the community. Donskov played his collegiate hockey at Miami (OH) University (1997-2001), where he served as an assistant captain his senior year. Anthony is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (PES). He resides in Columbus with his wife Aurora.
Click Here for Playing Background
Matthew Donskov, Director, Hockey Operations & Head Instructor
BSc, Business Administration & Economics - Summa Cum Laude | Cortland State University
As a founding member of “OV’ Hockey and Donskov Hockey Development, Matthew is proud to enter his 25th year working alongside his family. He has over 25 years of teaching and coaching experience with players from the mite to professional level. Matthew is a Head Instructor/Director Operations @ Donskov Hockey Development. He holds a USA Hockey Level IV Advanced Coaching Certification.
Matthew serves as Director of Operations at DSC, Inc. His responsibilities include defining, implementing, and managing operational policies and guidelines for the organization. He is also a liaison for client support services. Prior to joining DSC, he spent 6 years with Cardinal Health as a Medical Device Sales Consultant in Jacksonville, Fl.
Donskov graduated Summa Cum Laude earning BSc. in Business Economics from SUNY Cortland. While attending Cortland, Donskov played four years of college hockey where he was a two-time captain, earned Verizon Academic All-American honors and was the national leader in power play goals (2002). He currently sits sixth all-time on the school scoring list. Prior to playing at Cortland, Matthew played three years of junior hockey in Canada where he was a 1998 draft choice of the North Bay Centennials of the Ontario Hockey League.
Matthew currently resides in New Albany, Ohio with his wife Megan and three children (Alexander, Amelia & Anastasija).
Click Here For Playing Background
Debbie Donskov, Manager, Hockey Operations
BA, Education & English, |Ohio University
As a founding member of “OV’ Hockey and Donskov Hockey Development, Debbie is proud to enter his 25th year working alongside his family. Debbie oversees all aspects of the registration process and provides day to day support to Misha, Anthony, and Matthew.