A Skating Sensation Joins the River Hawks
The University of Massachusetts Lowell announced that Kuzma Voronin, a Russian-born forward who has been lighting up the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, will join the River Hawks for the 2026‑27 campaign. His arrival adds a dynamic offensive threat to a roster that has been reshaped by head coach Norm Bazin.
Bazin, who has been assembling the new class, highlighted Voronin’s elite skating as a key factor in the decision. “He’s one of the best skaters in the series,” Bazin said, noting that the player’s speed and offensive instincts will allow him to make an immediate impact in college hockey.
Voronin arrives after a standout season with the Moncton Wildcats, where he posted a 25‑35‑60 line over 58 games and maintained a plus‑35 rating. He contributed six power‑play goals and three game‑winning markers, numbers that helped the Wildcats reach the championship series against Chicoutimi.
In the postseason, the Russian forward recorded six goals and eleven assists in seventeen games, averaging just over a point per contest. His ability to generate scoring chances was on full display as the Wildcats battled to a 1‑1 tie in Game 3 of the series.
Beyond his recent stats, Voronin brings a wealth of North American experience. He previously skated for the New Jersey Rockets, spent two seasons with Youngstown, and logged time in Fargo before landing in Moncton. Earlier in his career he was committed to the University of Maine, but ultimately chose the River Hawks after a recruiting push from Bazin and his staff.
The addition of Voronin comes alongside the signing of Shawinigan defenseman Felix Plamondon, another prospect from the same championship series. Together, the two players are expected to bolster a blue‑line that has been a focus of the program’s rebuild.
Both Moncton and Chicoutimi, the two teams contesting the QMJHL finals, are known for producing NHL‑ready talent. Several of their players are projected to hear their names called at the upcoming draft, underscoring the high level of competition that Voronin has already faced.