Last year, Ilona Markova attempted to become the first Russian player in the PWHL. Markova, 23, did succeed in becoming the first Russian drafted to the PWHL being selected 37th overall by the Boston Fleet.
Boston however, didn't keep Markova. She attended camp but did not appear in a preseason game and was eventually released. The club was clear she had the skill, but would need time to adapt to the speed and physicality. It was time the team was not willing to give with other players they deemed PWHL-ready at camp. Markova instead returned to her long time club Agidel Ufa.
Reportedly, Markova is interested in returning to the PWHL this season, but she won't be alone among Russian players looking to grab a spot in the league.
A trio of Russian players declared for the 2025 PWHL Draft including veterans Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova who are both perennial All-Stars in the ZhHL and have represented Russia at multiple World Championship and Olympic Games.
Shokhina finished first in the ZhHL this season with 30 goals and 73 points in 42 games. Kadirova, a teammate of Shokhina's with Dynamo-Neva St. Petersburg finished fifth in the league with 57 points in 42 games. In comparison, Ilona Markova did not top a point-per-game pace in any of the past three seasons. Shokhina on the other have has scored at a 1.94 points per game pace for 13 seasons. Kadirova has similarly never scored under a point per game in her decade in the league producing 1.23 points per game including 26 goals and 57 points in 42 games this season.
While the veteran duo are the leading candidates up front, Yale defender Vita Ponyatovskaia is likely the most sure-fire Russian pick and player in the draft. Ponyatovskaia has yet to represent Russia internationally, primarily due to COVID and more recently bans on Russia's participation in IIHF events. In her four seasons at Yale however, she consistently produced offensively, showcasing a dynamic ability to attack from the blueline. She's a mobile blueliner who can evade checkers and use her feet to take away time and space.
Whether it's one, or all four players who join the league this season, it's likely the PWHL is about to welcome their first Russian player. It's a pathway that could open the door to more players looking to make the jump to the top league in the world.