Ruslan Iskhakov

Ruslan Iskhakov (born 22 July 2000) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for Metallurg Magnitogorsk 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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

Following completion of his first season with CSKA, Iskhakov was traded to Metallurg Magnitogorsk in exchange for Denis Zernov on 3 July 2025.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2015–16 HK Trnava Slovak U18 6 2 1 3 2 11 6 2 8 4 2016–17 HK Trnava Slovak U18 44 42 62 104 28 11 9 9 18 18 2017–18 Krasnaya Armiya MHL 33 6 24 30 2 4 1 0 1 4 2018–19 U. of Connecticut HE 32 6 15 21 20 — — — — — 2019–20 U. of Connecticut HE 32 9 12 21 26 — — — — — 2020–21 HC TPS Liiga 54 10 28 38 24 13 2 5 7 8 2021–22 Adler Mannheim DEL 25 7 15 22 10 4 0 1 1 0 2022–23 Bridgeport Islanders AHL 69 17 34 51 50 — — — — — 2023–24 Bridgeport Islanders AHL 69 18 32 50 30 — — — — — 2023–24 New York Islanders NHL 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2024–25 CSKA Moscow KHL 60 12 17 29 30 5 1 1 2 0 2025–26 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 65 17 21 38 30 15 1 7 8 8 Liiga totals 54 10 28 38 24 13 2 5 7 8 NHL totals 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 KHL totals 125 29 38 67 60 20 2 8 10 8 International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2017 Russia IH18 4th 5 2 2 4 4 2018 Russia U18 6th 5 3 0 3 2 Junior totals 10 5 2 7 6

Awards and honours Award Year RefAHL All-Star Game 2023, 2024