We’re merely weeks away from the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. While two teams are competing for Lord Stanley, the other 30 are reviewing tape and checking notes on laptops like a high-tech Santa Claus trying to figure out what presents to give to their fans.
It’s been said numerous times how Los Angeles has multiple holes in their pipeline. So, as we begin another round of Draft Profile articles, we’ll take a look at someone who may fit a typical Kings profile, rather than focus on one specific position over another.
Ilia Morozov
Vitals
Date of Birth: August 3, 2008
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 201 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2025-26 Season
Morozov spent the 2025-26 season with Miami University-Ohio in the NCAA. Over 36 games, he had 20 points (8 G, 12 A).
From Russia With Love
Morozov was born and raised in Russia. He started playing for the AAA’s Windy City Storm in 2023. Last season, he moved to the USHL to play for Tri-City prior to playing collegiate hockey.
There’s Always One
The two-way forward started the season as college’s youngest player, although he was second youngest after Oscar Hemming joined the league in late December.
In the Coach’s Wake
Morozov had an interesting path as he changed leagues. Then coach of Tri-City, Anthony Noreen, had the Storm forfeit a first-round pick so they could tender the young forward an offer. However, after the offer, Noreen was hired by Miami-Ohio. Eventually, Morozov had his first chance to play for Noreen this year, finally able to thank him with some stellar play on the ice.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
No. 21 by Elite Prospects. “Essentially a third defenceman, Morozov is a true defensive stalwart. He angles rushes to the outside and emphatically runs over the puck carrier. With a motor that never stops, he blows up the opposition’s cycle, retrieves tons of pucks, and even sets picks on opponents. He uses every possible tool to slow opponents down, slip in front, and secure the puck.
Inside the offensive zone, Morozov is most effective working the net front and end boards. He’s a chaos creator with his screening and hand-eye coordination, and he’s ready to detach from the battle and win a retrieval race. For the most part, he makes precise one- and two-touch plays to keep the cycle going, before rushing back to the net front for a chance.
Increasingly, Morozov showed some real skills throughout the season. He became Miami’s best transition puck carrier, playing a give-and-go, yet still middle-driven style that helped them set up their offensive zone pressure.”
No. 23 by Jordan Orth of The Hockey Writers, “It was not just offensively where he did so, as his physical play and motor were a major thorn in the side of opposing teams, with Morozov loving to battle for pucks and being relentless on the forecheck. When he was on his game offensively, he showed great skill in transition and has strong playmaking abilities. On the defensive side of the puck, his motor shines through with being strong on the backcheck and reliable in his own end of the ice. Taking the next jump in his goal-scoring production next season could help elevate his game even more, and there will certainly be an NHL organization that sees what potential he has.”
No. 22 by McKeen’s Hockey, “6-foot-3, 200 pounds – Morozov shocked the scouting community when it was announced that he had accelerated his studies and would be attending Miami University a year early, playing out his draft year as a “true freshman.” Many expected that Morozov would return to Tri-City of the USHL this season after a solid, but inconsistent U17 year last season. As such, the decision to play NCAA hockey this year was met with skepticism and trepidation. Needless to say, Morozov has erased those concerns early on with strong play, operating as Miami’s top line center.”
See For Yourself
Video of Morozov vs. Nebraska-Omaha in the NCAA:
Final Comments
Some players are exciting to talk about for different reasons. Occasionally, it’s because the nature of their play itself can bring people to their feet. Other times, it may be because they feel like a logical fit for a certain team. While most prefer to read because of the former reason, Morozov simply feels like he’s meant to play Kings hockey.
The 6-foot-3 forward mostly plays at center, which is one of the biggest organizational holes Los Angeles is trying to fill. He also uses his size, which allows him to thrive on board play and battles in front of the net. Despite being younger, the imposition of will and physicality can all but guarantee a prospect eventually finding their way into the NHL – eventually, that is.
Another part of Morozov’s game that should translate easily into professional play is his ability to cover 200 feet of ice. Most notably, Noreen had the freshman playing on the penalty kill at Miami. That kind of trust in any player, let alone a 17-year-old rookie, usually speaks volumes.
EliteProspects rates him as the third best two-way forward in their draft guide, and perhaps the biggest contributor to that is his attention to detail. Watching Morozov in games, the puck very quickly finds him. It’s not pure luck, either; his positioning during battles, the way he leverages opponents, the angle he feeds the stick to poke the puck free all contribute to recovering the puck for his own team.
The key traits that most people want to find exciting simply aren’t there in abundance, though, which is why he’s not ranked higher. Morozov isn’t a slouch, of course. His skating, passing, stickhandling, and shooting are thought by most to be average. Consequently, this limits what some perceive to be his ultimate upside.
As far as a role, a middle-six center seems to be a good projection for Morozov. While reading about somebody who will be a future fantasy hockey point producer tends to be more exciting — i.e. a player who gets fans out of their seats — building a pipeline of middle-six forwards is equally important to a franchise’s long-term roster construction and arsenal of assets. Having someone who can be counted on to play in all three zones goes a long way to achieving that type of depth. For now, though, continuing to get quality minutes in college should help Morozov for that next step in his responsibilities as a pro player.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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