DHD Staff | Meet the Team That Makes a Difference

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, President | March 7, 1944 - April 15, 2020

BSc, Mechanical Engineering | The University of Toronto

Paul spent decades teaching, coaching, and instructing the game of hockey in Canada and in the United States. Paul was a Canadian NCCP Level V and Canadian National Level III coach. Paul worked in various capacities including General Manager, Hockey Director, Hockey Operations Consultant, Player Development Program Director, and Power Skating Instructor in central Ohio.

Additionally, Paul was a member of the Board of Directors for the Ohio “AAA” Blue Jackets (Tier I Elite “AAA”). Paul was involved with the Coaches’ Education Program in both the USA as well as Canada. As a former member of USA Hockey, Mid-Am District, Paul served as an on ice instructor and an evaluator for the “Select Camps”.

“DHD is a culmination of many years of hockey knowledge and experience. We take great pride in sharing our knowledge and providing an atmosphere that is high speed, high intensity, and high energy -- all core competencies at our school!”

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

Misha joined the National Hockey League's Vegas Golden Knights coaching staff as an assistant coach ahead of the 2020-21

season. He previously served as the clubs Director of Hockey Operations since August 8, 2016.

Recently, Misha served as Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant Coach for Canada’s National Men’s Team that won the 2019 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland. He was named Team Canada’s special assistant of coaching operations for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China involving NHL players.

Misha joined the Golden Knights after serving as Manager of Hockey Operations/Analytics & Video for Hockey Canada’s Men’s National Teams. On July 1, 2016, he was appointed Assistant Coach/Hockey Operations for the Men’s National Teams. During his time with Hockey Canada, Misha won gold medals at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, the 2016 IIHF World Championship in Russia, the 2015 IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic, the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal and with the 2013 Under-18 Team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He won a bronze medal with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2014 IIHF U18 World Championship in Finland. He also served on Canada’s coaching staff for the Canada-Russia Challenge, CHL Subway Series and the Deutschland Cup.

Prior to his work with Hockey Canada, he was an associate coach with the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s from 2012-14 and spent three seasons with the London Knights. With the Knights, he served as assistant general manager and assistant coach, winning an Ontario Hockey League championship in 2012. In 2011, Misha won a gold medal with the U.S. Women’s National Team in Zurich, Switzerland serving as player development coach and advanced scout. He also spent eight years working with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and Atlanta Thrashers organizations within hockey development, community development, marketing and hockey operations.

Before pursuing a career in hockey, Misha spent six years with Cardinal Health, a Fortune 500 healthcare services company. 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 holds a Hockey Canada National Coaching Certification Program High Performance I and High Performance II Coaching Certification and is a Certified Hockey Canada Skills Coach. In addition, he holds a USA Hockey Level V Masters Coaching Certification

“It is truly an honor to work alongside my family teaching this great game. It is very special for me to be a part of the knowledge, energy, intensity, and passion that our family brings to every camp.”

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

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.

Donskov is a Head Instructor/Director of off-ice Training at Donskov Hockey Development. DHD (donskovhockey.com) is a family run hockey school with a renowned reputation for developing young players. 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.

“The game of hockey has been such a large part of our family’s life. I truly enjoy working with both youth, and adult players. Hopefully the passion our family has for this great game will inspire our participants.”

Matthew Donskov, Director, Hockey Operations & Head Instructor

BSc, Business Administration & Economics - Summa Cum Laude | Cortland State University

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 is a Head Instructor/Director Operations at Donskov Hockey Development, providing hockey specific instructional services since its inception in ‘00. Matthew holds a USA Hockey Level IV Advanced Coaching Certification.

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).

“The atmosphere day in and day out at our camp is electric! Both the kids and the adults are so excited to learn and work hard. The "OV" Cup has quickly been regarded as a cherished piece of hardware, and it’s great to see the competitive side of our participants revealed.”

Debbie Donskov, Manager, Hockey Operations

BA, Education & English, |Ohio University

Debbie oversees all aspects of the registration process and provides day to day support to Paul, Misha, Anthony, and Matthew. A true hockey mom, she has spent countless hours supporting her sons over the course of their hockey careers. Debbie grew up in Southern Ohio and is a retired middle school teacher.

"I am pleased that my sons enjoy "giving back" their knowledge to young hockey players. Through their experiences and growth at all levels of hockey, they have created a unique learning environment based on intensity and work ethic…all while having FUN."