With Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova headed to the PWHL as members of the Ottawa Charge, the league is destined to have their first Russian players hit the ice in 2025-26. Shokhina was the 13th overall pick, while Kadirova [https://thehockeynews.com/womens/pwhl/the-ottawa-charge-go-big-at-2025-draft-will-the-gamble-pay-off] was selected 45th overall. They were the second and third Russian players ever selected with Ilona Markova being drafted by the Boston Fleet last season, however Markova failed to make the Fleet out of training camp. With Shokhina and Kadirova destined to join the league next season, the door is open to Russian players. The ZhHL remains filled with players with the potential to join the PWHL. Here's a look. Ottawa Charge general manager Mike Hirshfeld discusses his selection of Russian's Anna Shokhina and Fanuza Kadirova RUSSIAN DEFENDERS Anna Shibanova, D, Agidel Ufa - The veteran first represented Russia internationally more than a decade ago and has been a stalwart on the Russian blueline since. A six-time All-Star in the ZhHL, Shibanova is one of a handful of experienced defenders who could contribute with upside in the PWHL. She'll be 31 by the time she could join the PWHL via the 2026 draft. Nina Pirogova, D, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod - The 5-foot-8 two-way defender can transport the puck and has a good shot. She's been one of Russia's top scoring blueliners since first representing Russia internationally at 16. Now 26, she tied for the ZhHL defensive scoring lead last season with 40 points in 42 games. Could be in the league now. Maria Batalova, D, Agidel Ufa - The ZhHL's Defender of the Year in 2025, Batalova is a 29-year-old defender who likes to join the play and is a strong distributor of the puck. She's led the Russian league in assists by a defender four times and twice in points, including last season recording 14 goals and 40 points in 42 games. Name To Watch: Yulia Nuyaksheva - If the 19-year-old could find a way to North America, her game could blossom. RUSSIAN FORWARDS Olga Sosina, F, Agidel Ufa - At 32 and under contract through the 2026-27 season, the clock is ticking for Sosina. Aside from Anna Shokhina, there's no player who has contributed as much offensively to Russia's national team and domestic league for more than a decade than Sosina. Multiple regular season and playoff MVP awards to her name, she consistently produces at a high rate and is considered one of the best players outside North America. Valeria Ivanova, F, Biryusa Krasnoyarsk - The 5-foot-10 veteran has the size, and international experience having played with Russia's senior national team since 2013. Ivanova is a perennial Russian All-Star. She skates well, has good puck protection, and likes to get to the middle of the ice upon entry where she often unleashes a strong shot. Ivanova could be in the PWHL now. She had 29 goals and 60 points in 42 games last season. Yelizaveta Shkalyova, F, Tornado Dmitrov - She is too young at only 22 to have represented Russia on the international stage since they've been banned by the IIHF, but Shkalyova has been a breakout star the past two seasons in the ZhHL. She's creative and sees the ice well. The problem for Shkalyova is, until she can develop against more physical competition, there's no telling her ceiling. Russia's veterans have been tested, but their youth have no. Still, Shkalyova is a prospect with ample potential. Alexandra Nesterova, F, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod - Another young player with plenty of potential and nowhere to go, the 19-year-old hasn't represented Russia at any level because of the international ban. She sees the ice well and fans her space as a smaller player. Veronika Korzhakova, F, Agidel Ufa - A heads up player and excellent skater who was one of Russia's burgeoning young talents prior to the nation's ban Korzhakova has quick hands and a good release. At 22, there's plenty of runway in her career if she wants to take a shot at North America. Valeria Tarakanova - © James Lang-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e4ecd163-5150-4646-821f-36567c9379be.jpeg] Valeria Tarakanova - © James Lang-Imagn Images RUSSIAN GOALTENDERS Valeria Tarakanova, G, Agidel Ufa - If the PWHL is going to find a starter from outside North America, it could be the 27-year-old Tarakanova. The 6-foot goaltender was the U-18 World Championship's Best Goaltender in 2015 followed by the tournament MVP in 2016. It shows how long her star has been on the rise. For years she's been at or among the top of the ZhHL in save percentage, including going a perfect 6-0-0 in playoffs this year with a 1.56 GAA and .942 save percentage. Darya Gredzen, G, Biryusa Krasnoyarsk - The former Olympian was named Russia's Best Goaltender in 2025 and Best Player in 2024. She's 5-foot-9 which is a solid height for goaltenders in the PWHL, and at only 21-years-old, her future remains bright, and she's a goaltender that if she could face better competition in Europe, could quickly find her way to the PWHL. Valeria Merkusheva, G, Tornado Dmitrov - Another former Olympian and former U-18 World Championships Best Goaltender, Merkusheva is on the small side at 5-foot-6, but much like smaller goalies in the PWHL like Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips, she makes up for it with quickness and positioning. Was Russia's Best Player and MVP in 2021, and remains one of the best goalies outside of North America.
