Alexander Mogilny, who last May became the...

Alexander Mogilny, who last May became the first Soviet hockey player to defect to the United States, may be on the verge of quitting the Buffalo Sabres, according to a published report.

Mogilny missed the team’s Saturday flight to St. Louis, where the Sabres played the Blues Sunday.

The team has acknowledged Mogilny has a severe fear of flying, and team spokesman John Gurtler said Sunday that’s why Mogilny didn’t go to St. Louis.