Anna Shokhina is on her bright way to the Ottawa Charge.

The Women's Hockey Team Russia recently held a training camp, which was attended by many established and rising players. Among them was the top scorer of the 2024/2025 Women's Hockey League regular season, Anna Shokhina, drafted by the Ottawa Charge (2025, 13th overall) of the PWHL. Shokhina has long been ready for new achievements and has tirelessly broken WHL records year after year. She was the first in the history of the league to score 250 goals.

Daria Mironova and Anna Shokhina at the WHL All-Star Game in Moscow

The three-time champion of the ZhHL (Women's Hockey League) will not go to Ottawa alone. Her former teammate Fanuza Kadirova was selected (and signed) by the same team in the sixth round under number 45. Last season, both women played for Dynamo-Neva and became silver medalists. For both, this is far from the first honors in their careers.

Shokhina and Kadirova were guests of the Hockey on the Beach podcast with Daria Mironova and shared their plans for the season in North America.

Here is a brief from an interview with Anna Shokhina.

How did you decide to make such a change?

Anya: Actually, I have had this dream for a long time. I was invited to the university earlier, but I wanted to gain more experience in Russia, spend more time with my family, and help them. As I already said, this is a dream.

Where were you during the draft? How did you watch it?

Anya: Well, I was at home, of course, I really wanted to sleep, because it was a late night. All the same, I waited, and then, as if in euphoria, I woke up. I immediately called my mom. She congratulated me. There were even tears of happiness. Many people congratulated me, including relatives, friends, and everyone else. There was such excitement, as if I were going to the Olympics. Like the first time in Sochi in 2014, probably the same emotions. I didn't expect that.

And how is your English? Well, or French?

Anya: Actually, not much. I understand a little of what they say to me, but I'm unable to respond. I'm shy, but I'll adapt to the situation. I always wanted to learn the language, but since I was in Russia, I didn't have time for it. But when we traveled to international games, I immediately wanted to learn English, download apps, and hire a teacher. And French, of course, will be more difficult. I have to work on my English first.

You will play and live in the city where the NHL team is based. Does that add a sparkle?

Anya: It's really cool. I've only been to Detroit once in my life. We traveled to exhibition matches with the Russian national team. We attended the Red Wings game. Of course, there were storms of emotions. If I manage to go to the NHL games, it will be very cool.

I found an interesting photo of Alexander Ovechkin and you in 2017 on your social networks. You were in New Jersey with the girls from the national team. Do you remember that

meeting?

Anya: Yes, I remember. We were just invited to the

Capitals practice, but Ovechkin did not skate. We got to see some really cool drills they did. We also took pictures with Ovechkin. He came out of the locker room barefoot. He walked with us and talked. And Kuznetsov was there too. And two years ago, Ovechkin and I planted trees at the Fetisov Academy. We also talked a bit there. Well, about a photo with him - I thought about it, but I didn't take it; everyone wanted it. I didn't want to annoy him.

The Russian hockey player also explained how she changed her pre-season training. You can listen to Anna Shokhina's full interview at the link and on all available audio platforms.