Sabres select Ilia Morozov No. 20 overall in 2026 NHL Draft
One of the youngest players in this year’s draft has heard his name called.
On Friday night, the host Buffalo Sabres selected forward Ilia Morozov, 17, with the No. 20 overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Center.
Morozov has a great upside to his game, especially given his size. Daily Faceoff analyst Steven Ellis had the center 23rd in his final rankings, while NHL Central Scouting had him listed as the No. 10 North American skater.
Morozov was barely 17 when he stepped onto the campus of Miami University last fall. The kid with the August birthday certainly opened eyes during his freshman season, helping a rebuilding RedHawks team show more fight than they have had in recent years in the ever-competitive NCHC. In 36 games, he scored eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points, finishing tied for fifth on the team in scoring.
The Moscow, Russia, native has spent the last few years in the United States. After playing AAA hockey with the Windy City Storm, Morozov joined the United States Hockey League’s Tri-City Storm of the 2024-25 season, posting 11 goals and 22 points in 59 games.
Due to the IIHF’s ban on Russia competing in its events, Morozov hasn’t had the chance to showcase his talents on the world stage. Yet he still manages to stand out in a crowd, thanks to his 6-foot-3 stature and a frame that has bulked up to over 200 pounds. How he demonstrated his skills with the RedHawks proves that he has the foundation to become an exceptional player in the future. Ellis says that the youngster is playing well beyond his age.
“Despite being the youngest player in college hockey,” Ellis wrote. “Morozov played with a maturity that made him very valuable to Miami this season. Standing tall at 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, he is an imposing pivot who commands the center of the ice. He managed to post highly respectable numbers while operating on a roster lacking high-end offensive firepower. He frequently threads confident passes through heavy traffic. While his ultimate offensive ceiling may not get you out of your seat, Morozov’s mature off-puck habits and projectable power-center profile make him a compelling prospect.”