Vegas Golden Knights Announce Return of VGK University for 2018-19 Season
Vegas Golden Knights President Kerry Bubolz announced the second season of VGK University presented by City National Bank, an initiative to give local fans a unique opportunity to learn the ins-and-outs of the game of hockey from Vegas Golden Knights hockey operations executives.
VGK University presented by City National Bank will take place on Vegas Golden Knights game days, and feature Hockey 101 lessons including hockey basics, offensive and defensive strategies, special teams and coaching preparation. All sessions will be led by Vegas Golden Knights Senior Vice President Murray Craven and Director of Hockey Operations Misha Donskov in a personal environment.
In addition, VGK University will have optional skates at T-Mobile Arena before the Hockey 101 sessions, including introductory hockey skill instruction from Craven & Donskov. Skate rentals will be provided. Participants also receive a ticket to the respective Golden Knights game with their VGK University package.
A complete schedule can be found below. Current VGK season ticket members will receive an email with enrollment instructions. The general public can enroll by visiting https://www.fevo.com/
All sessions will be tailored to fans with beginner-level knowledge of hockey and capped at a 50-person capacity. Attendees must be 21 years or older to participate.
New to 2018-19, fans can purchase individual or multiple sessions from the six games available. Packages run $249 per game including a game ticket or $149 per game for Vegas Golden Knights members with their own game ticket. A portion of every package will be donated to the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation. The VGK University session on November 16 will be offered exclusively to Vegas Golden Knights full season members.
All fans participating in VGK University presented by City National Bank are required to have a ticket to the day’s game for entry. Exit and reentry into the arena is not permitted. VGK University packages are available exclusively to fans in the Golden Knights broadcast market.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV)-Open skate/Hockey Instruction, 3-4 p.m. PT-Hockey 101 Session: Intro to Hockey, 4:30-5:30 p.m. PT-Vegas Golden Knights vs. Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m. PT
- Friday, November 16, 2018 (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV)-Open skate/Hockey Instruction, 3-4 p.m. PT-Hockey 101 Session: Intro to Hockey, 4:30-5:30 p.m. PT-Vegas Golden Knights vs. St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m. PT**Vegas Golden Knights Full Season Member Exclusive Date
- Sunday, December 9, 2018 (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV)-Open skate/Hockey Instruction, 2-3 p.m. PT-Hockey 101 Session: Creating Offense, 3:30-4:30 p.m. PT-Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars, 6 p.m. PT
- Wednesday, January 23, 2019 (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV)-Open skate/Hockey Instruction, 3-4 p.m. PT-Hockey 101 Session: Defensive Strategy, 4:30-5:30 p.m. PT-Vegas Golden Knights vs. Nashville Predators, 7 p.m. PT
- Saturday, February 9, 2019 (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV)-Open skate/Hockey Instruction, 3-4 p.m. PT-Hockey 101 Session: Special Teams, 4:30-5:30 p.m. PT-Vegas Golden Knights vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. PT
- Friday, February 22, 2019 (T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV)-Open skate/Hockey Instruction, 3-4 p.m. PT-Hockey 101 Session: A Day in the Life of a Coach, 4:30-5:30 p.m. PT-Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. PT
VGK UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTORS:
Murray Craven – Craven was drafted 17th overall in the 1982 NHL draft and played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1982-2000. He suited up in 1,071 games for six different teams: Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks.
Over the course of his career he compiled 759 points on 266 goals and 493 assists. During his first full season in the NHL, he helped lead the Philadelphia Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final during the 1984-85 season and again helped the Flyers reach the Stanley Cup Final in 1987. He would return to the Stanley Cup Final in 1994 with the Vancouver Canucks.
Misha Donskov – Donskov joined the Golden Knights after serving as Manager of Hockey Operations/Analytics & Video for Hockey Canada’s Men’s National Teams. During his time with Hockey Canada, Misha won a gold medal at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, serving as an Assistant Coach on Mike Babcock’s staff. In addition, Donskov won gold medals with Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Championship in Russia, the 2015 IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic, the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal and with the 2013 Under-18 Team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He won a bronze medal with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2014 IIHF U18 World Championship in Finland. Donskov also served on Canada’s coaching staff for the Canada-Russia Challenge, CHL Subway Series and Deutschland Cup.
Prior to his work with Hockey Canada, he was Associate Coach with the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s from 2012-14, and spent three seasons with the London Knights. With the Knights, he served as Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach, winning an Ontario Hockey League championship in 2012.
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