Gold Star Hockey
Global Russian Pipeline

US

$643M

Key Facts

Also known as: Gold Star Sports Management Group; Gold Star Family of Companies hockey division
Founded: Gold Star Family of Companies founded in 2000 by Dan Milstein; hockey representation operates under Gold Star Sports Management Group
Headquarters: Ann Arbor, MI, USA; 2350 Green Road, Suite 100B, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
Other offices: Gold Star states 49 offices worldwide; hockey staff/partners are listed across North America, Russia, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Sweden, and Toronto/Ann Arbor operations
Agency type: Large hockey-specialist / multi-service sports management agency
Ownership: Founder and CEO Daniel Milstein; Gold Star Sports Management Group is part of the Gold Star Family of Companies
Primary markets: NHL, AHL, KHL, NCAA/CHL/USHL pathways, European leagues, Russian/Belarusian player development, draft prospects, endorsements, and post-career support
Players (Total market value: reported $643M public active NHL contract value): 240+ total clients; NHL clients: 65+. PuckPedia lists Daniel Milstein / Gold Star with 67 active NHL contracts, $643,497,496 total active value, and $133,115,832 active cap hit
Key agents (names): Daniel Milstein, Vlad Spektor, Sviatoslav Kiselev, Sergei Samsonov, Martin Podlešák, Andrej Augustin, Clarence “Slava” Paller, Roman Savin, Dmitry Alekseev, Jouni Nurmi, Roni Mesikämmen, Michael Devellano, Andrey Gavrilov; Milstein and Spektor are listed by Gold Star as NHLPA Certified Player Agents
Languages: English, Russian, German, French; additional regional languages through Czech, Slovak, Finnish, Latvian, and Russian staff/partners
Contact email: dmilstein@goldstarhockey.com; vspektor@goldstarhockey.com; skiselev@goldstarhockey.com
Phone / WhatsApp: 734-717-8600; Dan Milstein direct line listed as 734-717-8600; Vlad Spektor 206-331-8833; Sviatoslav Kiselev 734-773-8951
Website: https://www.goldstarhockey.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldstarhockey
X: https://x.com/HockeyAgent1

About Gold Star Hockey

Gold Star Hockey is the hockey representation arm of Gold Star Sports Management Group, a Dan Milstein-led company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Milstein founded the Gold Star Family of Companies in 2000, and the agency’s hockey operation has become one of the NHL’s largest active contract books by value.

The firm is especially known for representing Russian, Belarusian, Eastern European, and cross-border players, with a client list led by Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin, Mikhail Sergachev, Ivan Barbashev, Alexander Romanov, Yegor Sharangovich, Nikita Zadorov, Artyom Zub, Ivan Demidov, Yaroslav Askarov, Zayne Parekh, and Artyom Levshunov. ESPN reported in 2022 that Milstein represented more than 75% of NHL Russian- and Belarusian-born players, including Kucherov, Vasilevskiy, and Sorokin. The agency’s growth story is tied to star contracts in Tampa Bay, major goaltender deals, and a broad pipeline of Russian and Belarusian prospects moving into the NHL. Gold Star’s services go beyond contract negotiation: it advertises endorsements, player profile enhancement, video coaching, training, press management, nutrition, immigration support, concierge services, and career/post-career planning.

Its European infrastructure includes Sviatoslav Kiselev in European hockey operations, Martin Podlešák in the Czech Republic, Andrej Augustin in Slovakia, and scouting/advisory staff in Russia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Canada, and the United States. Gold Star is also unusually visible in media and brand management, with services for social media, endorsement campaigns, official stores, merchandise licensing, and crisis communications. The agency’s best-known negotiation lane is long-term security for elite Russian/Eastern European NHL stars, including Kucherov’s and Vasilevskiy’s $76 million Tampa Bay extensions, Sergachev’s $68 million extension, Sorokin’s $66 million Islanders extension, and Romanov’s $50 million Islanders extension. It also has a strong goalie lane through Vasilevskiy, Sorokin, Askarov, Pyotr Kochetkov, Dan Vladar, Devin Cooley, Artur Akhtyamov, and Amir Miftakhov.

Client Roster

Contract figures below use public PuckPedia records where available.

Top players / NHL players

• Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning; 8 years, $76,000,000, $9,500,000 AAV through 2026-27) – F – Russia – 1993-06-17

• Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning; 8 years, $76,000,000, $9,500,000 AAV through 2027-28) – G – Russia – 1994-07-25

• Mikhail Sergachev (Utah Mammoth; 8 years, $68,000,000, $8,500,000 AAV through 2030-31) – D – Russia – 1998-06-25

• Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders; 8 years, $66,000,000, $8,250,000 AAV through 2031-32) – G – Russia – 1995-08-04

• Alexander Romanov (New York Islanders; 8 years, $50,000,000, $6,250,000 AAV through 2032-33) – D – Russia – 2000-01-06

• Yegor Sharangovich (Calgary Flames; 5 years, $28,750,000, $5,750,000 AAV through 2029-30) – F – Belarus – 1998-06-06

• Evander Kane (Vancouver Canucks; 4 years, $20,500,000, $5,125,000 AAV through 2025-26) – F – Canada – 1991-08-02

• Ivan Barbashev (Vegas Golden Knights; 5 years, $25,000,000, $5,000,000 AAV through 2027-28) – F – Russia – 1995-12-14

• Nikita Zadorov (Boston Bruins; 6 years, $30,000,000, $5,000,000 AAV through 2029-30) – D – Russia – 1995-04-16

• Artyom Zub (Ottawa Senators; 4 years, $18,400,000, $4,600,000 AAV through 2026-27) – D – Russia – 1995-10-03

• Kirill Marchenko (Columbus Blue Jackets; 3 years, $11,550,000, $3,850,000 AAV through 2026-27) – F – Russia – 2000-07-21

• Aliaksei Protas (Washington Capitals; 5 years, $16,875,000, $3,375,000 AAV through 2028-29) – F – Belarus – 2001-01-06

• Dan Vladar (Philadelphia Flyers; 2 years, $6,700,000, $3,350,000 AAV through 2026-27) – G – Czechia – 1997-08-20

• Vladislav Namestnikov (Winnipeg Jets; 2 years, $6,000,000, $3,000,000 AAV through 2026-27) – F – Russia/USA – 1992-11-22

• Yaroslav Askarov (San Jose Sharks; 2 years, $4,000,000, $2,000,000 AAV through 2026-27) – G – Russia – 2002-06-16

Prospects & young talents

• Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens, NHL; ELC $2,822,499 total, $940,833 AAV through 2026-27) – F – Russia – 2005-12-10

• Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames, NHL/WHL pathway; ELC $2,827,500 total, $942,500 AAV through 2027-28) – D – Canada – 2006-02-15

• Artyom Levshunov (Chicago Blackhawks, NHL/AHL pathway; ELC $2,925,000 total, $975,000 AAV through 2026-27) – D – Belarus – 2005-10-28

• Dmitri Simashev (Utah Mammoth, NHL/KHL pathway; ELC $2,850,000 total, $950,000 AAV through 2027-28) – D – Russia – 2005-02-04

• Matvei Gridin (Calgary Flames, prospect; ELC $2,827,500 total, $942,500 AAV through 2027-28) – F – Russia – 2006-03-01

• Igor Chernyshov (San Jose Sharks, prospect; ELC $2,802,501 total, $934,167 AAV through 2027-28) – F – Russia – 2005-11-30

• Fyodor Svechkov (Nashville Predators, NHL/AHL; ELC $2,775,000 total, $925,000 AAV through 2025-26; future extension listed) – F – Russia – 2003-04-05

• Ivan Miroshnichenko (Washington Capitals / Hershey Bears; future extension listed at $1,850,000 total) – F – Russia – 2004-02-04

Goalies

• Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning) – G – Russia – 1994-07-25

• Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders) – G – Russia – 1995-08-04

• Yaroslav Askarov (San Jose Sharks) – G – Russia – 2002-06-16

• Pyotr Kochetkov (Carolina Hurricanes; 4 years, $8,000,000, $2,000,000 AAV through 2026-27) – G – Russia – 1999-06-25

• Dan Vladar (Philadelphia Flyers) – G – Czechia – 1997-08-20

• Devin Cooley (Calgary Flames; active and future contracts listed) – G – USA – 1997-05-25

Notable former clients

• Pavel Datsyuk – longtime Gold Star client; latest listed season is 2020-21, so treat as inactive/retired for current roster purposes

• Andrei Kuzmenko – formerly represented by Milstein/Gold Star before changing representation in 2024

• Rodion Amirov – former Gold Star client and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect; died in 2023 after a brain tumor diagnosis

Highlights

• Negotiation style: high-touch, global-family model with heavy emphasis on long-term security and brand value.

• NHLPA/CBA expertise: major long-term extensions for Kucherov, Vasilevskiy, Sergachev, Sorokin, Romanov, Zadorov, and Sharangovich.

• Network strengths: NHL GMs, KHL/Russian hockey, Belarusian talent, Finnish/Czech/Slovak networks, and North American junior/prospect scouting.

• Development pipeline: Sergei Samsonov leads player development; Gold Star lists video coaching, skills coaching, training, nutrition, and mental-performance support.

• Cross-border execution: immigration, relocation, family support, media management, and concierge services are all part of the agency’s service menu.

• Brand/commercial capability: endorsement campaigns, merchandise licensing, social media management, official stores, and sponsor activations are listed as core services.

Agency Snapshot

Origin story

• Dan Milstein founded the Gold Star Family of Companies in 2000 and built Gold Star Hockey around athlete representation, business services, and international player support.

• Milstein’s personal background as a Kyiv-born immigrant and later U.S. citizen is central to his cross-border player advocacy, especially for Russian and Belarusian NHL clients.

• The agency expanded from star NHL representation into a global structure with scouts, advisors, development coaches, media partners, and concierge support.

Milestones

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

• 2018 – Nikita Kucherov signed an eight-year, $76 million extension with Tampa Bay.

• 2019 – Gold Star states Dan Milstein was ranked a Top 5 NHL Agent by The Hockey News Power and Influence issue.

• 2019 – Andrei Vasilevskiy signed an eight-year, $76 million extension with Tampa Bay.

• 2022 – Mikhail Sergachev signed an eight-year, $68 million extension with Tampa Bay.

• 2024 – Gold Star’s public NHL contract book ranked among the largest in hockey by active value.

• 2025 – Alexander Romanov signed an eight-year, $50 million Islanders extension.

• 2025 – Ivan Miroshnichenko changed representation to Dan Milstein and Gold Star Hockey.

Network strengths

• North America: NHL, AHL, NCAA/CHL/USHL pathways, draft preparation, team relations, and analytics/video support.

• Europe: Russia, Belarus, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Sweden, KHL, and broader European pro pathways.

• Specialty lanes: Russian/Belarusian NHL stars, goaltenders, first-round prospects, KHL-to-NHL transitions, brand building, and family concierge support.

Support Team / Partners

• Contract/cap specialist: Daniel Milstein and Vlad Spektor, both listed by the agency as NHLPA Certified Player Agents.

• European hockey operations: Sviatoslav Kiselev, Director of European Hockey Operations and Player Advisor.

• Player development: Sergei Samsonov, Director of Player Development; Alexander Kot, Rodrigo Lavins, and Kirill Metlyuk support skills/development roles.

• Czech/Slovak partners: Martin Podlešák in Czech Republic; Andrej Augustin / AA Sports Management in Slovakia.

• Scouting and operations: Michael Devellano, Yuri Krivokhija, Andrey Gavrilov, Roman Savin, Dmitry Alekseev, Jouni Nurmi, Roni Mesikämmen, Joe Giannini, and others.

• Marketing/brand partnerships: Clarence “Slava” Paller, Director of Partnerships and Athlete Relations.

• Concierge and family-office support: relocation, travel, housing, accounting, immigration, media prep, and major-purchase support.

Notable Deals Led by Gold Star Hockey

• 2018 – Nikita Kucherov: Tampa Bay Lightning – RFA extension – 8 years – $76,000,000 – $9,500,000 AAV – heavy signing-bonus structure publicly reported.

• 2019 – Andrei Vasilevskiy: Tampa Bay Lightning – goalie extension – 8 years – $76,000,000 – $9,500,000 AAV.

• 2022 – Mikhail Sergachev: Tampa Bay Lightning – long-term extension – 8 years – $68,000,000 – $8,500,000 AAV.

• 2023 – Ilya Sorokin: New York Islanders – goalie extension – 8 years – $66,000,000 – $8,250,000 AAV.

• 2024 – Nikita Zadorov: Boston Bruins – UFA signing – 6 years – $30,000,000 – $5,000,000 AAV.

• 2024 – Aliaksei Protas: Washington Capitals – long-term extension – 5 years – $16,875,000 – $3,375,000 AAV.

• 2024 – Artyom Levshunov: Chicago Blackhawks – ELC – 3 years – $2,925,000 – $975,000 AAV.

• 2024 – Ivan Demidov: Montreal Canadiens – ELC – 3 years – $2,822,499 – $940,833 AAV.

• 2025 – Alexander Romanov: New York Islanders – RFA long-term extension – 8 years – $50,000,000 – $6,250,000 AAV.

• 2025 – Yegor Sharangovich: Calgary Flames – extension – 5 years – $28,750,000 – $5,750,000 AAV.

• 2025 – Yaroslav Askarov: San Jose Sharks – goalie extension – 2 years – $4,000,000 – $2,000,000 AAV.

• 2026 – Martin Pospisil: Calgary Flames – future extension – 3 years – $7,500,000 – $2,500,000 AAV.

Track Record (Last 3 Seasons)

• NHL contracts signed/listed publicly: 67 active NHL contracts; 11 future contracts/extensions listed.

• Total value signed/listed, active NHL contracts: $643,497,496.

• Total AAV represented, active NHL contracts: $133,115,832.

• Extensions/renewals: 11 future contracts/extensions totaling $32,440,000.

• ELCs signed/listed: Levshunov, Demidov, Parekh, Gridin, Simashev, Chernyshov, Lombardi, Pulkkinen, Chibrikov, and others.

• RFA outcomes: high-end long-term outcomes include Romanov; bridge/short-term RFA outcomes include Askarov, Marchenko, Pospisil, Texier, Svechkov, Chibrikov, and Helenius.

• Arbitration cases: no recent heard arbitration case publicly confirmed in reviewed sources.

• Europe transfers: ongoing Russia/Europe-to-NHL pipeline; Gold Star lists staff and partners across Russia, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, and Sweden.

• Aggregate client market value: $643,497,496 public active NHL contract value; $675,937,496 if adding listed future contracts to active total.

Compliance & Accreditation

• NHLPA certification status: Daniel Milstein and Vlad Spektor are listed by Gold Star as NHLPA Certified Player Agents.

• Other registrations: Sviatoslav Kiselev is listed on an older Gold Star page as a KHL Certified Player Agent; Martin Podlešák is listed by Gold Star as a CSLH registered player agent.

• Professional liability insurance: not publicly stated.

• Ethics/compliance notes: no public disciplinary notes found in reliable open sources reviewed.

Testimonials

• The agency quotes The Hockey News: “Gold Star has quickly become a major player in the NHL.”

• Dan Milstein says: “I know that it takes more than drive and determination to turn a dream into a reality.”

• ESPN reported that Milstein’s Russian- and Belarusian-born NHL clients were contacting him during the 2022 Russia/Ukraine fallout because of safety and discrimination concerns, underscoring his crisis-management role.

Press, Awards & Recognition

• 2019 – Dan Milstein ranked Top 5 NHL Agent by The Hockey News Power and Influence issue, per Gold Star’s agency profile.

• 2022 – ESPN profile/interview on Milstein’s representation of Russian- and Belarusian-born NHL players during wartime pressure.

• 2026 – PuckPedia ranks Daniel Milstein fifth among NHL agents by active contract value and Gold Star seventh among NHL agencies by active contract value.

• Ongoing – Gold Star states the broader Gold Star Family of Companies was listed among the Inc. 500 fastest-growing companies in the U.S. for three consecutive years and won multiple Top Workplace awards.