DRAFT: Moore Brings Speed at the No. 19 Selection

When Oliver Moore heard his name called at 19th overall by the Blackhawks, he held back tears when it hit him he would put the Chicago jersey on when he got on stage.

While he didn't know where he might land on the draft board going into the night, after a few conversations with the team at the 2023 Draft Combine, he felt that the Blackhawks were interested, and could possibly select him in this year's draft.

"I had a lot of like really good talks with them and I knew they had interest in me, so to be able to go to the team that wants you like that, it's unbelievable," Moore said.

As a fast two-way forward, Moore played for the United States National Team Development Program where he 75 points (31G, 44A) through 61 games played this season.

Before their selection, Blackhawks General Kyle Davidson was nervous that Moore, who the staff wanted, would not be available by the time they were back on the clock for the 19th pick. While teams named players off one-by-one from the draft stage, Davidson did everything he could behind the scenes to try and trade up to be able select the 5-foot-11 center. But as those plans fell through, it turned out just fine for Chicago by the time their selection came around.

"We had Oliver way higher than we picked him," Davidson said. "We were constantly trying to move up for a lot of picks. I was working the phones trying to get up with him in mind and so it's almost a perfect scenario where we just stayed."

Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Doneghey believes Moore might have been overlooked this year due to being overshadowed by his NTDP teammates like Will Smith and Ryan Leonard. However, he caught the Blackhawks' attention with the use of his speed.

As the team prepares to build a new roster and prospect pool over the next few years, they're look for players who can add speed to the game. Doneghey knows Moore can do just that.

"He had a lot of the heavy matchups, whether it be the penalty kill or on the second power play," Doneghey said. "Also with his speed, he's been called the fastest player in the draft."

A current NHL player that Moore compares his playing style to is Detroit Red Wings' forward Dylan Larkin. He adds that they both use their speed to help drive up the middle of the ice to try and create offensive chances.

As for next season, the Minnesota native will play at the University of Minnesota in the fall for his freshman season. There, he wants to strive to not only work on his own game, but to help Minnesota try and win a National Championship.

"I'm going to definitely play at the University of Minnesota next year and try to have a really good year there and try to win a National Championship," Moore said.

Doneghey notes that his opportunity at Minnesota will allow him to play in pressure situations over the next couple years. The more situations he could put himself in, he can develop quicker.

Along with his development over the next few seasons, he also hopes to help the Blackhawks in the future by providing the speed that he knows they are looking for.

"Anytime you get the chance to kind of go into a rebuild like this with what they're trying to do, it's going to be special to be a part of," Moore said. "I think I can help them out a lot with that. All the young prospects and everything, they all seem like great guys and it's really exciting."

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