Battalion forward Pazii representing Ukraine at IIHF U20 Division 1B World Championship

First-year OHL forward Ihnat Pazii is having a great first half with the North Bay Battalion, and now he’s suiting up for his native Ukraine at the IIHF U20 World Championship, Division 1B in Bled, Slovenia.

Having just turned 17 earlier this month, Pazii has recorded 15 points (6-9–15) through his first 27 OHL games, turning heads at various points along the way with a pair of multi-point outings. The 5-foot-8, 155Ib. left-winger from Kharkiv, Ukraine has been out of the lineup with an illness for the first two games of the tournament, but looks to slot in on Thursday against Italy. Both teams enter the game with 2-0 records, with Ukraine having defeated Poland and Estonia, both by scores of 5-1.

Pazii was selected by the Troops with their first round pick in the 2023 CHL Import Draft from the Windy City Storm 16U program. He produced 14 points (10-4–14) in as many games during HPHL play last season, adding six points (4-2–6) in four playoff games. Previous to that, Pazii had played for the Anaheim Jr. IceDogs 15U AAA during the 2021-22 campaign. He had a strong showing for Ukraine at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship, Division 1B, recording nine points (2-7–9) in five games.

Follow along with the tournament at IIHF.com.

Iggy Pazii from the rockstar zone! 🎸🤩

The @OHLBattalion forward scores a beautiful goal for the game-winner, giving the Troops their first victory of the season📽️ pic.twitter.com/LTWKgXfdK8

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 1, 2023