Utah Mammoth signed Belarusian forward Vadim Moroz to a two-year entry-level contract on Sunday, adding a 2023 third-round pick (No. 88 overall) and tying the deal to a $1 million salary and $1.01375 million cap hit through 2027-28.
When the Utah Mammoth agreed to terms with Vadim Moroz on Sunday, it wasn’t just another roster move. It was a clear bet that a 22-year-old forward with a proven scoring history in the KHL can make the jump to North American hockey.
The Mammoth signed the Belarusian forward to a two-year entry-level contract, a deal that runs through the 2027-28 season. The contract carries a $1 million annual salary, with a $1.01375 million cap hit. Utah also surrendered a 2023 third-round pick, No. 88 overall, a selection that was originally made by the Arizona Coyotes.
Moroz arrives with a full KHL track record already built at Dinamo Minsk. Since summer 2022, he has spent his professional career with the club, completing his fourth season there. Across his KHL career, he has compiled 109 points in 222 games.
His 2024-25 season stood out inside Minsk, too. Moroz set a franchise record with 44 points for a U23 player. In the 2025-26 regular season, he produced 29 points—14 goals and 15 assists—in 54 games, finishing with a +4 rating. In the playoffs, he added 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) in 8 games with a +1 rating.
That stretch of production may not match the high watermark of his earlier scoring peak. but his role has remained steady in Minsk’s lineup. At 6-foot-2, Moroz is recognized for his skating ability and puck control. His game also features responsible play away from the puck and quick reactions on loose pucks—traits the Mammoth likely believe can translate as the style of competition changes.
The transition is expected to be gradual. With Utah. Moroz is anticipated to move from the KHL to North American hockey. with an initial adjustment period likely at the AHL level before he competes for NHL minutes. The path matters here: Minnesota’s high-scoring environment in the KHL won’t match the physical demands of the NHL right away. and the early focus will be development as he adapts.
Moroz’s next step now sits in Utah’s hands—and in how quickly his skating. puck control. and two-way habits can hold up in a faster. heavier league. For a franchise making this bet with both cap and draft resources attached. the message is simple: they’re ready to see whether what worked in Minsk can carry over across the Atlantic.
Utah Mammoth Vadim Moroz entry-level contract Dinamo Minsk KHL Arizona Coyotes NHL AHL Belarusian forward 2027-28 cap hit