Ilia Morozov’s start at Miami (Ohio) has already put him on the radar in college hockey, and now the Buffalo Sabres prospect has the hardware to match it.
Morozov, the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Forward of the Week on Tuesday after piling up four goals in a home-and-home series against Robert Morris. He added seven shots on goal, two blocked shots and won 27 of his 47 faceoffs, good for 57.4%.
The 18-year-old Russian center, who was the youngest player in college hockey during his freshman season for the RedHawks last year, now leads the NCAA with three power play goals in 2026-27. That matters to Buffalo, which has struggled badly on the man advantage.
Morozov finished last season with 20 points, scoring eight goals and adding 12 assists in 36 games for Miami.
The RedHawks are back on the ice this weekend with a two-game home set against Alaska Anchorage beginning Friday night.
Morozov’s rapid rise has also fueled questions about how soon he could turn pro. Even though he only turned 18 in early August, his two-way game already looks advanced, and his 6-foot-3, 204-pound frame gives him a build that should translate well to the professional level.
A jump to the next level after this college season wouldn’t be a shock. Buffalo could sign him to an entry-level contract once the year ends and then potentially give him a look with the AHL’s Rochester Americans late in the 2026-27 season.
He’ll probably need at least a full season with Rochester before he’s in serious contention for a full-time job in Buffalo, though he could still see NHL action as early as 2027-28.
Long term, Morozov profiles as a dependable middle-six center who can handle work around the crease on the power play and contribute on the penalty kill.
He’s not the only Sabres prospect making noise at Miami, either.
Matous Kucharcik, Buffalo’s fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, joined Morozov at Miami after a season with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. The 6-foot-4, 193-pound forward has opened the year with four points, including one goal and three assists, in four games, while putting 12 shots on goal during Miami’s 3-1-0 start.
Kucharcik has long been viewed as a reliable defensive forward who can move the puck well in transition, but the real question has been whether his offense can grow enough to reach NHL standards. He had 16 points in 35 games for Youngstown last season.
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