Daniel Milstein
Global Pipeline Builder

US

$646M

Key Facts

Agency / company: Gold Star Sports Management Group / Gold Star Hockey
Role / title: Founder & CEO / NHLPA Certified Player Agent
Agency website: https://www.goldstarhockey.com
Email: dmilstein@goldstarhockey.com
Phone: 734-717-8600
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmilstein75/
X: https://x.com/HockeyAgent1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmilstein
Primary markets: NHL, Russian/Belarusian players, Eastern European prospects, KHL-to-NHL transitions, elite goaltenders, endorsements

About Daniel Milstein

Daniel Milstein is the Founder and CEO of Gold Star Sports Management Group, the hockey representation arm of the Gold Star Family of Companies. Gold Star lists him as an NHLPA Certified Player Agent and says the company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with 49 offices worldwide.

Milstein is especially associated with Russian, Belarusian, and Eastern European NHL talent. ESPN reported in 2022 that he represented more than 75% of the NHL’s Russian- and Belarusian-born players, including Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Ilya Sorokin.

PuckPedia lists Milstein with 67 active NHL contracts, about $646M in active contract value, and about $133.85M in active cap hit. His active book is led by Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Mikhail Sergachev, Ilya Sorokin, Alexander Romanov, Yegor Sharangovich, Evander Kane, Ivan Barbashev, and Nikita Zadorov.

Key Facts

• NHLPA certification: Certified Player Agent

• Active NHL contracts represented: 67

• Total active contract value: $645,694,996

• Total active cap hit / AAV represented: $133,848,332

• Average active cap hit: $1,997,736

• Future contract extensions listed: 14, worth $37.3M total

• Largest active contracts: Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy – $76M each

• Most notable clients: Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin, Mikhail Sergachev, Ivan Demidov, Yaroslav Askarov

• Primary client type: Russian/Belarusian NHL stars, European prospects, goaltenders, KHL-to-NHL players

• Data date: May 14, 2026

• Contract source: PuckPedia

Client Roster

1. Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) – RW – Russia – $9.5M AAV – $76M total – expires 2026-27

2. Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning) – G – Russia – $9.5M AAV – $76M total – expires 2027-28

3. Mikhail Sergachev (Utah Mammoth) – D – Russia – $8.5M AAV – $68M total – expires 2030-31

4. Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders) – G – Russia – $8.25M AAV – $66M total – expires 2031-32

5. Alexander Romanov (New York Islanders) – D – Russia – $6.25M AAV – $50M total – expires 2032-33

6. Yegor Sharangovich (Calgary Flames) – C/LW – Belarus – $5.75M AAV – $28.75M total – expires 2029-30

7. Evander Kane (Vancouver Canucks) – LW – Canada – $5.125M AAV – $20.5M total – expires 2025-26

8. Ivan Barbashev (Vegas Golden Knights) – C/LW – Russia – $5M AAV – $25M total – expires 2027-28

9. Nikita Zadorov (Boston Bruins) – D – Russia – $5M AAV – $30M total – expires 2029-30

10. Ilya Mikheyev (Chicago Blackhawks) – RW – Russia – $4.75M AAV – $19M total – expires 2025-26

11. Artyom Zub (Ottawa Senators) – D – Russia – $4.6M AAV – $18.4M total – expires 2026-27

12. Kirill Marchenko (Columbus Blue Jackets) – RW – Russia – $3.85M AAV – $11.55M total – expires 2026-27

13. Aliaksei Protas (Washington Capitals) – C/LW – Belarus – $3.375M AAV – $16.875M total – expires 2028-29

14. Dan Vladar (Philadelphia Flyers) – G – Czechia – $3.35M AAV – $6.7M total – expires 2026-27

15. Vladislav Namestnikov (Winnipeg Jets) – C/W – Russia – $3M AAV – $6M total – expires 2026-27

Notable Deals

• 2018/2019 – Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning: 8 years, $76M, $9.5M AAV.

• 2019/2020 – Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning: 8 years, $76M, $9.5M AAV.

• 2022/2023 – Mikhail Sergachev, Tampa Bay Lightning: 8 years, $68M, $8.5M AAV.

• 2023/2024 – Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders: 8 years, $66M, $8.25M AAV.

• 2025/2026 – Alexander Romanov, New York Islanders: 8 years, $50M, $6.25M AAV.

• 2024/2025 – Yegor Sharangovich, Calgary Flames: 5 years, $28.75M, $5.75M AAV.

Milestones

• 2000: Gold Star Family of Companies founded by Dan Milstein.

• 2018: Kucherov signed an eight-year, $76M Lightning extension.

• 2019: Gold Star says Milstein was ranked a Top 5 NHL agent in The Hockey News Power and Influence issue.

• 2022: ESPN profiled Milstein’s work with Russian and Belarusian NHL clients during wartime pressure.

• 2026: PuckPedia ranks Milstein among the top NHL agents by active contract value.

Partner Network

• Vlad Spektor: Executive Vice President, Global Operations / NHLPA Certified Player Agent.

• Sviatoslav Kiselev: Director of European Hockey Operations / Player Advisor.

• Sergei Samsonov: Director of Player Development.

• Martin Podlešák: Czech Republic player agent and Gold Star strategic partner.

• Andrej Augustin: Slovakia player agent and regional partner.

• Scouting / development: Roman Savin, Dmitry Alekseev, Jouni Nurmi, Roni Mesikämmen, Andrey Gavrilov, Michael Devellano, Alexander Kot, Rodrigo Lavins, and Kirill Metlyuk.

Testimonials / Media Characterization

• Gold Star quotes The Hockey News describing the agency as a major player in the NHL.

• Gold Star describes Milstein as a trusted advisor with deep relationships across GMs, coaches, trainers, agents, and scouting personnel.

• ESPN characterized Milstein as a leading representative of Russian- and Belarusian-born NHL players during the 2022 Russia/Ukraine fallout.

Press, Awards & Recognition

• 2019 – The Hockey News: Gold Star says Milstein was ranked a Top 5 NHL agent in the Power and Influence issue.

• 2022 – ESPN: Featured Milstein on Russian- and Belarusian-born NHL clients facing threats and discrimination.

• 2026 – PuckPedia: Listed with 67 active contracts and more than $645M in active NHL contract value.