The Buffalo Sabres selected center Ilia Morozov with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 27, 2026.
The 17-year-old Moscow native registered 20 points in 36 games last season as the youngest player in NCAA Division I men's hockey for Miami University in Ohio.
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Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, Morozov concluded his debut collegiate season with eight goals and 12 assists.
His performance helped the RedHawks improve from a three-win campaign to an 18-victory season.
NHL Central Scouting listed the two-way center as the 10th-ranked North American skater ahead of the draft, noting his tactical awareness and puck protection.
TSN analyst Craig Button compared the physical center to Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal due to his versatility.
"He plays [the game] with a real edge, he plays it with his head," Button said.
"When you watch somebody who can get himself invested and be successful in so many different areas of the game, like a Jordan Staal, it won't always show up in terms of the stat sheet individually, but where it does show up is your team having a chance to have success."
Journey to the Draft
Prior to his collegiate career, Morozov moved to the United States at age 14 and played in the United States Hockey League for the Tri-City Storm.
He expressed gratitude for his journey during the NHL scouting combine, where he finished among the top performers in multiple fitness evaluations.
