If Montreal is interested in a two-way centre with a very strong defensive game already developed, then Ilia Morozov could be just what they need. This player had a very successful season in college and was one of the reasons his team rose up in the standings over the year before. Montreal fans love players who show a high effort every game and every shift; that’s what Morozov brings to the ice.
Bio
Centre
Shoots: Left
DOB: August 3rd, 2008
Height: 6’2.75
Weight: 205 lbs
Rankings
Elite Prospects: 21
Cam’s Consensus: 25
TSN (Button): 25
THN (Kennedy): 26
McKeen’s Hockey: 22
Daily Faceoff: 23
NHL Central Scouting (N.America): 10
Draft Prospects Hockey: 29
Sportsnet (Cosentino): 18
Sportsnet (Bukala): 21
Smaht Scouting: 30
Dobberprospects: 22
Hockey Prospect Radio (Malloy): 27
Statistics
Scouting Report
Ilia moved to North America in 2023 to join the AAA Windy City Storm at the age of 15. He had a good season with 74 points in 49 games. The next season, he moved to the USHL and had a relatively underwhelming year with only 22 points in 59 games.
It’s possible he was undergoing the usual culture shock that young European players face when they move away from home. This past season, Morozov was a 17-year-old college freshman and improved his point-per-game production to 20 points in 36 games. While one of the youngest hockey players in college hockey, Ilia started on Ohio’s third line. He relished the defensive role, using a good motor to forecheck and backcheck with gusto. His faceoff skills and shot blocking ability are already at a high level.
Morozov has an awkward skating style that’s very rigid. He helps make up for that with a high-energy pace. For being so young, he’s already a pro-sized player and played in all situations. He occasionally showed off a strong shot. He also has good passing and puck handling abilities. Ilia has middle-six centre potential at the NHL level.
If Montreal were to draft this Russian centre, I believe he would be a good complement for Ivan Demidov on the second line. The Boston Bruins have demonstrated the past few seasons that putting a good two-way pivot with their star winger benefits their line overall. Montreal needs a player like that for Demidov. Although his average draft ranking is higher than where Montreal’s first-round pick lies, the Canadiens management has been known to move up in the draft when a player they highly value is available.
Timeline
At age 16, Ilia was two inches shorter and 46 pounds lighter than he was when he was measured in early June at the NHL Combine. There is a possibility that his growth spurt has affected some of his offensive abilities, which would mean his overall development needs more time. It’s likely he will need at least two more seasons in college, and maybe a year in the AHL before being NHL ready. That time will be spent focusing on the development of his offensive skills which I believe are somewhat untapped. His size and strong defensive game could get him to the top pro league a year or two sooner if his trajectory continues at the rate he’s at now.