The Jackets have a position to fill
Misha Donskov, the Canadian born, Columbus native and recent Stanley Cup Champion, has a path to return home to Columbus. Ok maybe native is a stretch, but when you move to Columbus at 13 years old from Toronto and grow up here, we’ll call you a native.
Donskov, who just had his tenure with the Vegas Golden Knights end, will be looking for a job if he wants to stay in coaching. Donskov spent the last three full seasons as an assistant coach for Vegas, and prior to that was the Director of Hockey Operations. Prior to the 2020 playoffs, he was named assistant coach. In fact, he was one of the first hires Vegas made after becoming a franchise.
His experience goes all the way back to 2001, when he was named Lead Instructor of Youth Hockey Dev. Programs for the Blue Jackets. Since then, he’s worked for the Atlanta Thrashers, the London Knights of the OHL, Ottawa 67’s of the OHL, and has held various positions for Canada and the United States hockey programs. That experience led to him being hired by Vegas.
Donskov is also the Head Instructor of Donskov Hockey Development in Columbus, founded in 2000. The Donskov family runs and operates the business, which includes hockey camps, performance training and coaching clinics. Anthony Donskov, Matthew Donskov and Debbie Donskov all have a hand in running the company. The elder Donskov, Paul, passed away in 2020. The Donskov family has planted deep roots in Columbus.
With the recent news that CBJ asst Coach Kenny McCudden has resigned, that leaves an opening on new head coach Mike Babcocks staff. This could be an opportunity for the Blue Jackets to bring another champion into Nationwide Arena. Since he became an assistant coach in 2020, Vegas has gone 134-67-9 with two playoff appearances which included a loss in round 3, and a Stanley Cup win. He was appointed as an assistant just prior to the 2020 playoffs, which ended in a 3rd round loss.
What better place for Donskov to come, than back home to Columbus. The Jackets would be lucky to have him, and he would bring a champion pedigree with him. If I’m GM Jarmo Kekalainen, I was on the phone with him the minute it was announced he was leaving Vegas.