Ruslan Iskhakov Explained

Ruslan Iskhakov
Birth Date:22 July 2000
Birth Place:Moscow, Russia
Height Ft:5
Height In:8
Weight Lbs:170
Position:Forward
Shoots:Left
League:KHL
Team:HC CSKA Moscow
Former Teams:HC TPS
Adler Mannheim
New York Islanders
Draft:43rd overall
Draft Year:2018
Draft Team:New York Islanders
Career Start:2020

Ruslan Iskhakov (born 22 July 2000) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected in the second round, 43rd overall, by the New York Islanders in the 2018 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

As a youth, Iskhakov played within HC CSKA Moscow junior ranks, featuring Krasnaya Armiya of the MHL in the 2017–18 season. Following his selection by the New York Islanders in the 2018 NHL entry draft, Iskhakov immediately moved to North America and played collegiate hockey with the University of Connecticut of the Hockey East for two seasons.

Following his sophomore season, and with the disruption of COVID-19 pandemic halting the collegiate ranks, Iskhakov opted to turn professional in joining Finnish club, HC TPS of the Liiga for the 2020–21 season on 29 May 2020.[1] In his lone season with TPS, Iskhakov added an immediate offensive impact in posting 10 goals and 38 points through 54 regular season appearances. He helped the club reach the championship finals in notching seven points through 13 playoff contests.

Iskhakov opted to continue his development in Europe for the 2021–22 season, signing a one-year deal with German club, Adler Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) on 21 May 2021.[2] With his season limited through injury, Iskhakov still increased his offensive pace in contributing with 22 points through 25 regular season appearances.

On 26 May 2022, Iskhakov returned to North American after he agreed to terms with draft club, the New York Islanders, on a two-year, entry-level contract.[3]

During the 2023–24 season, Iskhakov was recalled by the Islanders and made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut, registering an assist in his lone regular appearance with the club in a 5–4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on 17 April 2024.[4] [5] Remaining on the roster into the playoffs, Iskhakov drew into the lineup and made his postseason debut during a first round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. He was scoreless in a 3–2 victory over the Hurricanes on 27 April 2024, however did not feature in the remainder of the series.[6]

As a pending restricted free agent, Iskhakov opted to halt his career in North America and return to his homeland after signing a two-year contract with perennial contending club, HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), on 1 August 2024.[7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Playoffs
Team League GP GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16HK TrnavaSlovak U186 2 1 3 211 6 2 8 4
2016–17HK TrnavaSlovak U1844 42 62 104 2811 9 9 18 18
2017–18Krasnaya ArmiyaMHL33 6 24 30 24 1 0 1 4
2018–19U. of ConnecticutHE32 6 15 21 20
2019–20U. of ConnecticutHE32 9 12 21 26
2020–21HC TPSLiiga54 10 28 38 2413 2 5 7 8
2021–22Adler MannheimDEL25 7 15 22 104 0 1 1 0
2022–23Bridgeport IslandersAHL69 17 34 51 50
2023–24Bridgeport IslandersAHL69 18 32 50 30
2023–24New York IslandersNHL1 0 1 1 01 0 0 0 0
Liiga totals54 10 28 38 2413 2 5 7 8
NHL totals1 0 1 1 01 0 0 0 0

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2017RussiaIH184th5 2 2 4 4
2018RussiaU186th5 3 0 3 2
Junior totals105276

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TPS sign Russian Ruslan Iskhakov . . Finnish . 29 May 2020 . 29 May 2020.
  2. Web site: Adler Mannheim add Russian talent Iskhakov . . 21 May 2021 . 21 May 2021 . German.
  3. Web site: Islanders sign 2018 draft pick Ruslan Iskhakov . hockeybuzz.com . 26 May 2022 . 26 May 2022.
  4. Web site: Ruslan Iskhakov relishes NHL debut . 18 April 2024 . 18 April 2024 . New York Islanders.
  5. Web site: Holmstrom scores go-ahead goal in Isles' win over Penguins. Sorokin stops Crosby's late penalty shot . . 17 April 2024 . 17 April 2024.
  6. Web site: Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep . ESPN . 16 August 2024 . 27 April 2024.
  7. Web site: Ak bars strengthened by Barabanov, Gusev returns to Dynamo . . 1 August 2024 . 1 August 2024 . Russian.
  8. Web site: Iskhakov added to AHL All-Star Classic . . 1 February 2023 . 1 February 2023.