The Ottawa Charge announced Monday morning that they have come to contract agreements with three more of their 2025 Draft selections, inking forwards Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova, along with goaltender Sanni Ahola, to one-year deals.
“We are extremely excited to add our three international draft picks to our roster,” said Charge General Manager Mike Hirshfeld. “We had Anna Shokhina ranked very high on our talent chart at the draft, so to be able to get her with the 13th pick was exciting for us. We think she’s going to be a good player in this league. Fanuza Kadirova is also a talented and skilled goal scorer. She’s going to need to deal with the physicality in this league. It’s going to be a learning curve for her, but we think the upside is high, especially where we picked her in the sixth round. Anna and Fanuza have played together the last two seasons and they have been on the Russian National Team.”
In Anna Shokhina, Ottawa adds a dynamic offensive talent with a proven scoring touch. The Russian forward starred for Dynamo-Neva in the ZhHL and brings speed, quick hands, and high-end playmaking—immediate scoring depth for the Charge.
“I am incredibly happy to get things going in Ottawa,” said Shokhina. “I will be able to play in the strongest league in the world with the best team. I’m looking forward to putting some pucks in the net, contribute to victories and help my new team take the cup.”
With Fanuza Kadirova, Ottawa adds a versatile forward with international pedigree. A veteran of Russia’s national team, she’s medalled at multiple world championships and brings depth and flexibility to an evolving forward group.
“I am happy and I can’t wait to join the team in Ottawa,” said Kadirova. “I will do everything possible to help this team.”
“Sanni was at the top of our list as far as goaltenders went in the 2025 entry draft,” said Hirshfeld. “We think she will be a terrific support for Gwyneth Philips. She’s had a good career in the NCAA, but again, she comes with international experience where she’s had lots of success.”
In Sanni Ahola, Ottawa brings in a composed, technically sound goaltender who spent the past four seasons at St. Cloud State. She posted a 2.22 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage last season, and has been a steady presence with Team Finland. Ahola joins starter Gwyneth Philips, recently re-signed Logan Angers, and camp invitee Kendra Woodland in Ottawa’s crease group.
“I’m incredibly excited and grateful to be signing with Ottawa. It’s a dream come true to play in the PWHL and to represent a city with such passionate fans,” said Ahola. “This is a big step in my career and I’m ready to give everything I have to help the team succeed. I’m looking forward to growing as a player, contributing on and off the ice and helping build something really special in Ottawa.”
These three signings come on the heels of the team agreeing to a one-year contract with third-round pick Sarah Wozniewicz on Friday. Only defender Rory Guilday and forward Peyton Hemp remain unsigned from Ottawa’s 2025 draft class.