New York, NY – The NWHL (National Women’s Hockey League) announced today the signing of Russian national team forward Lyudmila Belyakova to the New York Riveters. Belyakova attended the NWHL’s International Camp skills session this past Thursday at Ristuccia Memorial Arena in Wilmington, Massachusetts where she was able to showcase her skills to the league’s Founding Four teams.
She is playing for one of three NWHL teams in the Beantown Classic this weekend as well. Lyudmila Belyakova was born and raised in Moscow.
At the age of 12, Belyakova joined the U-18 Russian Youth National Team. While paying for the U-18 National Team, she recorded 41 points (30g, 11a), making her the leading scorer of her team.
Belyakova played for Team Russia at the 2013 and 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship Tournaments. At the 2013 IIHF World Championships in Ottawa, Canada, Belyakova helped Russia take home the bronze medal.
The Russian forward has played in 88 games with the national team since the age of 15, accumulating 47 points (30g, 17a). In 2015, Belyakova graduated from the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism.
At the 2015 Winter Universiade in Granada, Spain, Belyakova recorded 6 points (3g, 3a) to help her team take the gold.
“I’m very happy and very excited. This is a long time dream come true, so I think everything combined is going to be very exciting,” said Belyakova, “I will try to do all possible to help my team win a championship.”
