Russia is back in the international hockey picture, and that opens the door for a few New York Islanders players to potentially suit up for their country again.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the IIHF’s ban on Russian teams, saying there was not enough evidence to support the security concerns the federation had cited. Russia is set to return to IIHF competition immediately.
The first major event on the calendar is the World Junior Championship over the holiday season, with this year’s tournament set for Edmonton and Red Deer. That could put Islanders prospect Daniil Prokhorov back on the international stage. Drafted in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft, Prokhorov moved to North America after spending last season in the MHL, VHL, and KHL in Russia.
His first season in North America has been a rough adjustment. In 10 games with the Hamilton Hammers of the AHL, Prokhorov has one goal and no assists.
Even so, his 6'6" frame makes him a hard player to ignore at the junior level. His physical style and work around the net could make him a major problem for younger competition, while more skilled Russian teammates handle the play on the outside.
The ruling carries beyond the World Juniors. Russia is also slated to return to the World Championship at the end of the season and the Olympics in 2030.
That could mean Ilya Sorokin, one of the league’s top netminders, would represent Russia for the first time since joining the Islanders. The decision also raises the question of whether the NHL will follow along and allow Russian players into the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
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