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Gold Star Hockey
Player Representation
Highlights
- NHL contract negotiation & advocacy
- Gold Star Sports Management
- Long-term client relationships
- Cross-league portfolio strategy
- Draft and extension planning
- Off-ice career guidance
Dan Milstein is the Founder and CEO of the Gold Star Family of Companies, including Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, and ventures in financial services, sports management, publishing, and film production. With over 40 offices nationwide, Dan leads these companies with a vision for excellence and growth.
From Humble Beginnings
Born in the Soviet Union and immigrating to the United States at 16, Dan rose from humble beginnings to become the #1 loan officer in the country. He founded Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group in 2000 with a mission to make the American dream of homeownership accessible - building lifelong relationships that extend well beyond closing.
Dan is a bestselling author, dynamic entrepreneur, and Executive Producer of The Russian Five. His story of resilience and success has inspired thousands worldwide through his books, consulting, and speaking engagements.
Accomplishments
Building Companies - And Opportunities - From the Ground Up
Founded Gold Star Mortgage
Launched Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group in 2000 and grew it into a nationwide residential lender.
Gold Star Family of Companies
CEO of 40+ offices spanning sports management, lending, publishing, film, venture capital, and more.
#1 Loan Officer
Ranked the top loan officer in the United States during his originations career.
Bestselling Author
Published multiple books on sales, entrepreneurship, and building a winning mindset.
The Russian Five
Executive Producer of the acclaimed documentary film.
Consulting & Speaking
International keynote speaking and business consulting on leadership and growth.
Gold Star Family of Companies
Gold Star Mortgage Financial GroupGold Star Sports ManagementGold Star PublishingGold Star VenturesMortgage technology innovationConsulting and speaking engagementsFilm production
Published books
Stories and Strategies From the Field
Bestsellers on sales, entrepreneurship, and the mindset behind building companies - and a life - from the ground up.
Rule #1: Don't Be #2
How to stand out, compete, and win in sales and business.
17 Cents & a Dream
The memoir of arriving in America with 17 cents - and building an empire.
The ABC of Sales
Foundational lessons for selling with confidence and integrity.
Street Smart Selling
Practical tactics for closing deals and growing your business.
Background
From Kyiv to the NHL - And Everything in Between
Born in Kyiv and immigrating to the United States at 16, Dan built Gold Star from humble beginnings into a nationwide family of companies. Through Gold Star Hockey and Gold Star Sports Management, he represents NHL players with the same discipline and transparency he brought to mortgage lending.
A friend and interpreter for Pavel Datsyuk before becoming his agent, Dan went on to guide contract negotiations for stars across the league - and executive-produced The Russian Five, documenting the Soviet-era players who changed the game.
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Elite Client Careers
Championship Contracts
Highlights
- Nikita Kucherov - 8-year, $76M extension
- Andrei Vasilevskiy - Vezina winner, $76M deal
- Artemi Panarin - Blackhawks extension
- Pavel Datsyuk - retirement negotiations
- Ilya Mikheyev & Mikhail Sergachev
- Hart & Vezina trophy winners represented
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The Russian Five
Executive Producer
Highlights
- Documentary on Soviet-era NHL pioneers
- Stories of emigration and perseverance
- Cultural bridge between hockey generations
- Film production through Gold Star
- National and international audiences
- Legacy of the Detroit Red Wings era
Background 04
From Kyiv to the NHL
Entrepreneurial Journey
Highlights
- Ukrainian-Jewish family emigrated in 1986
- Founded Gold Star Mortgage in 2000
- Avoided subprime; grew through 2008 crisis
- Inc. 500 fastest-growing company (2009)
- Crain's Detroit 40 Under 40 honoree
- #1 loan officer before agency expansion
