Russian, Belarusian players enjoy CHL life, but potential import draft ban looms

Ivan Zhigalov had to make a decision.

The Belarusian goaltender could stay home to continue his development. The other option was a big leap — one that took him across an ocean to follow his hockey dream.

Zhigalov chose the latter.

"It's my first year in North America, but I really enjoy it," said the 18-year-old member of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Sherbrooke Phoenix. "It's pretty nice. I'm so happy to be here, play here.

"It's a great opportunity."

Zhigalov earned that opportunity in the Canadian Hockey League via its annual import draft. The system allows each of the circuit's 60 teams to select and dress up to two players from outside Canada and the U.S. each season.

But Russia's invasion of Ukraine with the support of Belarus has muddied the water for those countries' next generation of teenage hockey hopefuls intent on following the same path.

Russian and Belarusian teams have been banned by the International Ice Hockey Federation from its events at all levels until further notice because of the war. The sport's governing body also removed Russia as host of the 2023 world junior hockey championship.

The CHL, meanwhile, released a March 2 statement condemning the use of Russian "military force" in Ukraine and cancelled the 2022 Canada-Russia series of exhibition games.

While the league offered support to its current players "regardless of their country of origin," there was speculation it might bar Russians and Belarusians from this year's import draft. The CHL, however, has so far kept its options open by indicating the event's timing and format has yet to be determined.

A total of 85 players were selected at the most recent import draft last June, including a high of 16 from Russia and 11 from