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    Ian Kennedy
    Ian Kennedy
    Jun 29, 2025, 10:34
    Updated at: Jun 29, 2025, 10:34

    The Ottawa Charge shocked no one with the fifth overall selection of defender Rory Guilday. The 5-foot-11 Cornell defender is a rock who will provide stability and presence to Ottawa's blueline.

    Their second round pick however, choosing Russian Anna Shokhina from Dynamo-Neva St. Petersburg, surprised some, but it didn't surprise Ottawa. Ottawa jumped at the opportunity to pick the player who they listed as a top four talent in the draft.

    Ottawa also grabbed Shokhina's former linemate both from the ZhHL and interntionally in Fanuza Kadirova. The duo could find themselves playing the wings on the same line next season. 

    While it will take time for them to adapt, Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld believes it will all pay off for the Charge. 

    Ottawa also selected Wisconsin's Sarah Wozniewicz, one of the top defensive forwards in the NCAA, Minnesota's Peyton Hemp, and Finnish netminder Sanni Ahola. 

    Watch the video above as Chris Sinclair and Ian Kennedy discuss Ottawa's draft class.

    Fanuza Kadirova with Russia - © George Walker IV-Imagn Images