Ruslan Iskhakov

Playing career

Iskhakov began his junior career with HC CSKA Moscow's system, playing for Krasnaya Armiya of the MHL during the 2017–18 season. After being drafted by the New York Islanders in 2018, he moved to North America and played collegiate hockey for the University of Connecticut in Hockey East over two seasons. With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the collegiate schedule, he turned professional on 29 May 2020, signing with Finnish club HC TPS of the Liiga for the 2020–21 season. In his lone season there, he recorded 10 goals and 38 points in 54 regular-season games and added seven points in 13 playoff contests as the club reached the championship finals. He then signed a one-year deal with German club Adler Mannheim of the DEL on 21 May 2021, where injury limited his season but he still produced 22 points in 25 appearances. On 26 May 2022, Iskhakov returned to North America by agreeing to a two-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders. During the 2023–24 season, he was recalled and made his NHL debut on 17 April 2024, registering an assist in a 5–4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also made his postseason debut on 27 April 2024 in a 3–2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, though he was scoreless and did not play further in that series. As a pending restricted free agent, he chose to return to Russia, signing a two-year contract with HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL on 1 August 2024. After his first season with CSKA, he was traded to Metallurg Magnitogorsk in exchange for Denis Zernov on 3 July 2025.