The 2026 NHL Draft will be held in June at a site to be determined. NHL.com will take a closer look at some of the draft-eligible players to watch. This week, a profile on center Ilia Morozov of Miami (Ohio) University of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).

Ilia Morozov, the youngest player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey, is ascending the 2026 NHL Draft-eligible ladder a lot quicker than many expected this season.

Morozov (6-foot-2, 197 pounds), who doesn't turn 18 until Aug. 3, is tied for the team lead in goals (six) and tied for second in points (11) in 10 games as a freshman for Miami (Ohio) University of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) this season.

He was one of two players boosted to an A rating on NHL Central Scouting's November Players to Watc

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