Misha Donskov is joining Mike Babcock in Edmonton after the Oilers head coach personally opened the door to a new coaching partnership.
The Oilers hired Donskov as a coaching consultant in late August, adding another experienced voice to Babcock's reshaped staff.
The connection wasn't random. Donskov and Babcock have known each other for more than 10 years and previously worked together with Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
The recruitment started directly with Edmonton's head coach. Donskov revealed that “Babs reached out to me in the summer and laid out this opportunity.”
“It is a unique opportunity. I've know Mike (Babcock) for over 10 years. I was fortunate to be on his staff at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey,” he said via Jason Gregor on X. “Babs reached out to me in the summer and laid out this opportunity. We went back and forth and then I met Stan Bowman in Edmonton when I was in town for the Hlinka/Gretzky tournament. My role is about sharing my ideas and information from my experience Internationally and in the NHL. I will be in Edmonton roughly six days a month and then the rest of the month I will be supporting the staff remotely. I've also coached with DJ (Smith), so I feel comfortable communicating with both of them as well as Farley (Paul McFarland). Knowing them and having worked with them makes it a good fit.”
From there, conversations continued before Donskov met Oilers general manager Stan Bowman while he was in Edmonton for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Donskov described his Edmonton job as one built around sharing ideas from his international and NHL experience while supporting Babcock's staff both in person and remotely.
Babcock adds another familiar voice in Edmonton
That familiarity extends beyond Babcock. Donskov has also coached with DJ Smith and already knows Paul McFarland, giving him established relationships inside Edmonton's new-look bench structure.
“Knowing them and having worked with them makes it a good fit,” Donskov said.
Babcock made it clear the Oilers wanted Donskov's experience inside their operation, saying, “We are excited to have Misha join our coaching staff.”
Donskov won't be leaving Hockey Canada. He remains Vice President of Hockey Operations and National Men's Teams Coach while taking on his consulting responsibilities with Edmonton.
His background also includes NHL stops with the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights, where he worked across coaching and hockey operations before becoming part of Edmonton's latest staff addition.
For Babcock, the move adds someone he already trusts as the Oilers prepare for a new season under a rebuilt coaching staff. Donskov's arrival also shows Babcock is putting his own stamp on the group around him.
Will Misha Donskov make Mike Babcock's Oilers staff better?
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