Goryunov-Rolziger’s breakout and Vinogradov’s production. February top youngsters

Commentator for KHL TV channels and expert at KHL.ru, Anton Vasyatin, presents the top ten most prominent young players (U23) in the league based on their performance in 2025 second month.

10. Nikita Khoruzhev, forward (2003, Neftekhimik)

Player’s rating: 2.53

Nikita Khoruzhev is playing his first full season in the KHL and has quickly become one of his team’s leaders. In February, the young forward appeared in eight games, recording two goals and three assists. He found the net in two crucial matchups against Ak Bars, with his goal in the first game proving to be the game-winner.

Throughout the month, Nizhnekamsk conceded only once at even strength while he was on the ice. He finished with an impressive plus-8 rating and contributed defensively with two takeaways, four interceptions, four blocked shots, and two hits. Khoruzhev also registered at least one shot on goal in almost every February game, averaging two shots per match.

9. Alexander Pashin, forward (2002, Spartak)

Player’s rating: 2.60

Forward Alexander Pashin has been one of Spartak’s standout players this season. In January, Alexei Zhamnov’s forward took the ice in ten games, tallying a total of seven points. All three of his goals came in a dominant win over SKA in St. Petersburg, where he also netted the game-winner and impressed with his defensive efforts.

Pashin played aggressively without the puck, excelling in takeaways and physical play—he recorded twelve hits over the month. He also averaged three shots on goal per game. His versatility makes him a key player for the Muscovites, as he contributes not only at even strength but also on both the power play and penalty kill.

8. Sergei Ivanov, goalie (2004, HC Sochi)

Player’s rating: 2.63 

In February, goaltender Sergei Ivanov once again faced a heavy workload. He played in five games, four of which were full appearances, averaging 29 saves per 60 minutes. When he played the entire game, Sochi never lost in regulation. They fell in extra time in Chelyabinsk but went on to defeat Neftekhimik and beat CSKA twice.

In a home game against the Muscovites, Ivanov posted a shutout, stopping all 35 shots he faced—one of the best performances of his career. Despite HC Sochi no longer having playoff aspirations, the young goaltender continues to deliver outstanding performances.

7. Vasily Atanasov, forward (2002, Torpedo)

Player’s rating: 2.72

In eight February games, Torpedo’s forward Vasily Atanasov recorded six points. His production spiked in the second half of the month: he registered two assists against Spartak, added three more in a win over HC Sochi—including a setup for Nikita Artamonov’s game-winner—and then netted the decisive tally against Severstal. 

Atanasov finished the month with a plus-4 rating and stood out with his defensive play, averaging at least one pass interception per game. Notably, he managed these contributions despite his ice time in some games barely exceeding eleven minutes.

6. Mikhail Goryunov-Rolgizer, forward (2002, Traktor)

Player’s rating: 2.74

Forward Mikhail Goryunov-Rolgizer is making a strong case for the breakthrough of the season in Traktor’s system. While he had played in the KHL a few years ago, he lacked experience at the time. However, after a standout start to the season with Chelmet (Traktor’s VHL affiliate), Goryunov-Rolziger earned his chance with Benoit Groulx’s team—and he seized it immediately. He scored in his very first game, impressed with his movement, and quickly became not just a regular in the lineup but one of Traktor’s key players.

February was one of the best months of the 22-year-old’s career. In eight games, he recorded three goals and two assists, finding the back of the net against Metallurg, Lada, and Neftekhimik while finishing with a plus-4 rating. His line with Vitaly Kravtsov and Sergei Svetlakov has been highly effective, with Goryunov-Rolgizer playing a crucial role in complementing his linemates.

The young forward also made an impact defensively in February, recording ten takeaways, five interceptions, twelve hits, and three blocked shots.

5. Yaroslav Busygin, defenseman (2003, Vityaz)

Player’s rating: 2.82

February was the most productive month of Yaroslav Busygin’s KHL career. The young defenseman recorded three goals and two assists in ten games - a solid achievement for a blueliner, especially at his age. All of his goals came in road games, as he found the net in Minsk, Mytishchi, and Novosibirsk.

Busygin finished most of the month’s games with a positive differential, ending February at plus-6 overall. He registered at least one shot on goal in every game while also contributing defensively with nine blocked shots, two hits, two takeaways, and six pass interceptions. In a road game against Avangard, the Vityaz defenseman logged just over 23 minutes of ice time—the second-highest total of his career.

4. Maxim Motorygin, goalie (2002, Dynamo Moscow)

Player’s rating: 3.02

Despite the arrival of Vladislav Podyapolsky from Lada, Maxim Motorygin continues to receive consistent playing time with Dynamo Moscow, including in crucial games with playoff implications. In February, he appeared in six games, starting in five of them, and helped the team secure four victories—against Kunlun Red Star, SKA (twice), and Lokomotiv.

In each of those wins, Motorygin allowed no more than one goal, and in St. Petersburg, he posted a shutout, stopping all 30 shots he faced. The Blue-and-Whites netminder finished the month with an impressive 1.40 goals-against average and a 95.1% save percentage.

3. Daniil Aimurzin, forward (2002, Severstal)

Player’s rating: 3.09

A familiar story—Danil Aymurzin once again ranks among the best young players of the month. His nine points, including two goals, in eight February games speak for themselves. The Severstal forward found the net against CSKA and Avtomobilist, with his goal in the latter game proving to be the game-winner.

In a high-scoring showdown against Spartak, where 14 goals were scored and Cherepovets claimed an 8:6 victory, Aymurzin contributed two assists. He also recorded three helpers in a dominant 6:2 win over Barys. Even in the absence of his usual linemate Kirill Pilipenko in some games, the 22-year-old continued to produce points consistently throughout February.

2. Vadim Moroz, forward (2003, Dinamo Minsk)

Player’s rating: 3.43

In recent years, Vadim Moroz has rapidly progressed from a promising prospect to a leader for Dinamo Minsk. This season, he has a strong chance of finishing as the team’s top goal-scorer.

In February, the Minsk forward netted four goals, scoring against Avangard, HC Sochi, Lokomotiv, and Spartak. He also tallied five assists, which helped him put together a four-game point streak in the latter half of the month—during a road stretch against Vityaz and the Moscow clubs.

Moroz finished February with a plus-5 rating while also delivering twelve hits, blocking six shots, recording four takeaways, and making five pass interceptions.

1. Yegor Vinogradov, forward (2003, Torpedo)

Player’s rating: 3.73

Throughout the current season, Yegor Vinogradov struggled to secure a stable spot in Torpedo’s lineup, occasionally playing in the VHL. However, February marked a turning point for the forward. Not only did he start producing offensively, but he also played a key role in forming a successful line with Vasily Atanasov and Nikita Artamonov.

In seven February games, Vinogradov recorded eight points, including goals against Ak Bars (a game-winner) and HC Sochi. His performance against Sochi was the most productive game of his career—he contributed to four goals (1+3), including the game-winner by Artamonov. In Torpedo’s final game of the month against Severstal, Vinogradov assisted on the decisive goal by Atanasov.

The 21-year-old forward registered a shot on goal in every February match while also delivering sixteen hits, blocking four shots, recording two takeaways, and making five pass interceptions.