Former CHL Man of the Year and Brother Ink with Killer Bees

August 19, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees News Release


HIDALGO, TX: August 19, 2004 – The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League added a pair of forward brothers to their 2004/2005 roster by the signing of 2003 CHL "Man of the Year" Anthony Donskov and the re-signing of Matt Donskov.

"Anthony played before for me in Lubbock, plays hard in every game, and he will be a player the community will embrace because he is very dedicated to community services," said Killer Bees Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Tracy Egeland. "Matt is a big strong kid that I was impressed with during last season's playoff run and he will be good developmental player."

Anthony Donskov (dawns-kawff), a 26 year-old native of London, Ontario and resident of Westerville, Ohio, missed playing last season due to off-season surgery, but brings two seasons of professional experience to the Killer Bees. His two seasons of pro experience was as a member of the CHL's Lubbock Cotton Kings, where he combined for 45 points (25g,20a) in 90 games. He initially signed with Lubbock in 01/02, after attending training camp with the Elmira Jackals of the United Hockey League (UHL), to replace Egeland, who had suffered a career-ending injury with the ‘Kings. Anthony recorded 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 35 games as a rookie and was the rookie-scoring (21 pts.) leader on the team and co-led the squad with 5 first-goals. He returned to Lubbock in 02/03, where he played under Egeland and notched 15 goals and 9 assists for 14 points in 55 games. Anthony gained the Lubbock franchise record for fastest goal scored to begin a game, as he recorded a goal 13-seconds into a contest on 12/13/02 against Corpus Christi. He most notably earned the 2003 CHL "Man of the Year" honor for award, which is presented annually to the CHL player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community. Anthony had a significant impact on the Lubbock community, establishing the "Caps For Courage" program to benefit the Kelsey Logan Angel Fund, founded in May of 1995 by Pam and Brad Logan to honor the memory of their daughter, Kelsey, who died of cancer at the age of 2½. The fund was solely dedicated to helping those under the age of 18 who suffer from cancer, through assistance with medical costs not covered by insurance, as well as any other additional manners in which to bring joy into the lives of young cancer patients. "Caps For Courage" sold autographed caps for $25.00 with all profits going directly to this most worthwhile cause. The program has raised nearly $4,000.00 dollars during the 2003 season.

The 5'9", 175-pound center turned pro after completing four seasons (97/98 – 00/01) of NCAA Div. I hockey at Miami (OH) University. Anthony, a business major at Miami, combined for 7 points off of 4 goals and 3 assists in 51 games in his RedHawks career. He served as the team's assistant captain his senior year. Prior to Miami, he competed in Canadian juniors. He tallied 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points in 51 games during the 95/96 season with the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League (WOJHL) Champion St. Thomas Stars. Anthony joined the Metro Toronto Junior A Hockey League's (MTJHL) Durham Huskies in 96/97 and was selected as the team's MVP with 27 goals and 43 assists for 70 points. He was selected as an assistant captain in the MTJHL's All-Star Game with Durham, and also spent time in juniors with the Toledo Cherokee of the Central States Hockey League (CSHL).

Anthony's brother Matt is a 6'3" 200-pound native of Westerville, Ohio who joined the Killer Bees during the postseason last season after closing out his college career at SUNY Cortland (NCAA Div. III), where he tallied 41 goals and 60 assists for 101 points in 102 games. He practiced with the Killer Bees during the postseason and was on the playoff roster, but did not appear in any games. As a senior last season, Matt competed in 25 games with the Red Dragons and tallied 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points to rank fourth on the squad. Matt served as the team captain and led the team in shorthanded goals (3) while also ranking second on the squad with four power play goals. He ranked third on the team in scoring in 01/02 as a junior with 21 points on 9 goals and 12 assists, and tied for the team lead in power play goals with 6. The 23 year-old forward led all of Division III hockey with 12 power play goals in 01/02 as a sophomore and ranked second on the squad in points with 37 points (17g, 20a). Donskov also performed well in the classroom, earning two Verizon District At-Large Academic All-American honors and was a member of the Dean's List. Prior to Cortland, Donskov played for the Wexford Raiders of the Ontario Provincial Jr. "A" Hockey League.

Both brothers comes from a hockey background, as their father (Paul) played hockey at the University of Toronto, and brother Misha played college hockey at Norwich University and at the University of Findlay and played professionally in Norway. The family runs several hockey camps, schools and programs at the Worthington Ice Center (Worthington, Ohio) and works with inner-city taskforces in the Columbus, Ohio area. Matt not only inks with the Bees today but also celebrates his 23rd birthday today.

The pair of Donskovs currently gives the Killer Bees 13 players under contract for the 2004/2005 season. They join goaltenders Jeff Levy and Jacque Vezina; defensemen Derek Holland Sean Gillam, Darcy Smith, Jason Tessier; and forwards Blaz Emersic, Matic Kralj, Troy Linna, Bill Newson and Ryan Shmyr. With less than 128 games played as a professional, both Donskov brothers will qualify as a "developmental players," giving the Killer Bees four signed by the squad (joins Matic Kralj and Jacque Vezina). CHL rules require each team to have at least five players on their squad who have participated in 128 or fewer professional games, and those players are classified as "developmental players." If you would like to arrange an interview with the Donskovs or Head Coach Tracy Egeland, please contact Chris Due at the Killer Bees office.

"The Valley of Bees" will swarm the Dodge Arena again in October, as the Killer Bees are currently preparing for their second season. The puck drops October 23rd for the Killer Bees in Austin and the Bees home opener is scheduled for October 29th against the Laredo Bucks. Season tickets and corporate opportunities are now available by calling the Killer Bees office at (956) 843-7825. For more information concerning Killer Bees hockey, please visit their website at www.killerbeehockey.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from August 19, 2004


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