The Elite of Ice: The symbolic team representing the KHL season of 2025/2026

The Elite of Ice: The symbolic team for the 2025/2026 season of the KHL

The regular season has come to an end, and it’s time to identify those who truly influenced the outcome of the games. Based on comprehensive statistics, as well as expert evaluations, a symbolic team was selected for this season.

**Goaltender:** Ivan Fedotov (CSKA) – 93.8% save rate, 8 shutouts. The league’s leading goalkeeper, whose performance in the transition phases is a true example of composure.

**Defense:** Nikita Zadorov (Ak Bars) – +31 in effectiveness, 48 powerplay attempts in 20 games. Dominant in his zone, with impeccable first passes and leadership in the dressing room.

**Defense:** Damir Sharipzyanov (Avangard) – 142 blocked shots. A key player in games with fewer players on the ice. An anti-sniper this season, whose positional intelligence compensates for any speed disadvantage from opponents.

**Offense:** Vadim Shipachov (Dinamo Moscow) – 68 points (18 goals, 50 points) in 68 games. The brain of the offense, always finding open spaces and setting the pace for most of the team.

**Offense:** Alexander Radulov (Salavat Yulaev) – 52 goals, leading in expected goals. A veteran player at the peak of his form, whose hockey IQ turns ordinary moments into masterpieces.

**Offense:** Matvey Michkov (SKA) – 41 goals. The best sniper this season. Fast speed, ruthless finishing, and willingness to take on the responsibility of deciding games in critical moments.

**Head coach:** Roman Rotenberg (SKA) – 71% wins. Best performance in most games (26.4%). Tactical flexibility and emphasis on aggressive pressure have changed the standards of the league.

The 2025/2026 season was marked by a balance between experience and youth. If Radulov and Shipachov proved that age doesn’t matter, then Michkov and Fedotov set new standards for the next generation. This team isn’t just a collection of numbers; it represents the tactical evolution of the KHL: fast transition hockey, intense pressure, and emphasis on individual skill in the final moments.

Who will win the Gagarin Cup? The playoffs will tell us. But it’s already clear that the regular season has given the league hockey of world-class quality. And this symbolic team is its true testament.