A key component to the NHL’s annual Draft Combine is allowing member clubs to spend time interviewing prospective selections. Various tests of physical fitness are also used to test a player’s reach, grip strength, burst-skating potential (via long jump), respiration rate, and so forth. Yet none of those tests measure a prospect’s maturity, ability to articulate, thoughtfulness, or personality.
Everyone’s journey to their professional hockey career is unique. Yet sometimes, doing a deep dive into someone’s history can have some surprising results.
William Moore
Vitals
Date of Birth: March 24, 2007
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 174 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2024-25 Season
Moore spent the 2024-25 season playing for the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP). In 64 games, he has 59 points (27 G, 32 A).
Frasier Would Be Proud
Scott Wheeler wrote a great personal piece regarding Team USA’s two-way forward. Moore is also an accomplished piano and violin player. He won the Little Mozart’s International Competition by playing Chopin’s Polonaise in G Minor. One would say that was just a, ahem, footnote to his young career.
By the Numbers
The native of Mississauga brought good old Canadian skill while suiting up for Team USA. He was second in team scoring with 59 points. However, his scoring was also great in international showing this year, tying for USA’s scoring at the U-18 WJC with 11 points (3 G, 8 A) in 7 games.
BCing You
Moore is currently committed to Boston College. His rights were also drafted by the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked No. 24 by Sportsnet’s Top 64 Rankings: “After a bit of a slow start Moore’s game has built momentum and he’s trending up as his team heads towards the U18 World Championships next month in Frisco, Texas. Moore is a big body who is difficult to check and has the ability to take over shifts offensively. Sometimes it takes prospects who grow tall early in their development more time to mature in all areas of their game. Moore has the coordination, speed, and hockey sense to have significant impact. I’m looking for even more engagement from him in the last month of his season and monitoring his consistent compete.”
Ranked No. 28 by Scott Wheeler’s March Rankings. “Moore is a 6-foot-2 center who can challenge offensively and go directly at players with his skill and skating but can also at times drift to the perimeter and just needs to attack and create more consistently. When he plays to the middle and gets off the wall to the inside, he can show speed, skill and scoring and be a lot to handle. But inconsistency has been an issue and he needs to get stronger and play with more drive/push at times. He has quick hands one-on-one, which allows him to play pucks under the sticks of defenders. He’s a natural, flowing skater. He’s capable of dropping a shoulder and attacking at guys from out wide, or pushing to the net for a jam play/wraparound, or going to the front of the net and lurk for opportunistic chances off the puck, but you want to see him do that more than he actually does. He can also work to get to pucks and win races, though some want to see him be more involved in all areas of his game (he’s decent in the faceoff circle, though). He’s got some wiry strength and power with room to fill out and add lean muscle mass to a very rangy frame. He’s not the most cerebral player or a dynamic facilitator, though, and he’s got work to do to round out his game off the puck. But he’s got good instincts on the puck and some untapped upside because of his skill, skating and shot. With the right development and a bit of an adjustment to his mindset, he’s got legit NHL potential. He’s got some developmental boxes he still needs to check, though, as well. In spurts, he has looked like a real talent. As this season has gone on, he has also upped his effort plays, better supported pucks and started going to the net more, which is a good start.”
Ranked No. 55 by Future Considerations. “Moore is a versatile, two-way forward whose profile is built on intelligence, size, and effort rather than standout physical tools. His best attributes include a strong understanding of spacing and timing, which allows him to be effective in transitional play and on special teams. Moore consistently finds success as a passer, demonstrating soft hands, awareness, and the ability to distribute the puck in tight areas, whether off the rush or during sustained zone pressure. He has the poise to hold pucks under pressure and use his reach to protect possession along the boards, regularly setting up teammates with functional, possession-based passing. Though not a natural scorer, Moore positions himself in net-front areas where he can create tips and rebounds, utilizing his large frame to screen goaltenders effectively on the power play. Despite his size, he can still be boxed out due to a lack of functional strength, and improving his muscle mass will be crucial to maximizing his potential in tight areas. Offensively, Moore tends to defer to teammates and does not often create off the rush or isolate defenders with individual skill. He is an average skater, lacking the separation gear or lateral quickness needed to consistently threaten defenders or escape pressure cleanly. While he shows competence with the puck, his stickhandling remains limited and he rarely attempts high-difficulty plays, making his offensive impact somewhat reliant on structure.”
See For Yourself
Video of Moore vs. Dubuque in the USHL:
Final Comments
Moore’s variety in extracurricular activities outside of hockey show a natural student. In hockey gear, Team USA’s second-leading scorer will need to rely more on instruction and teachings from his coaches to elevate his game to a higher level. Watching him, one can see that positioning doesn’t come instinctively, nor does he effectively get inside position when trying to neutralize an opponent.
The native of Mississauga needs to build on strength as well. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 174 pounds, Moore needs to add a lot of weight to make better use of his frame. It’s the weight imbalance that also contributes to having issues with checking opponents effectively.
As far as puck skills, his greatest strength is in puck handling. While not a dangler, he maintains good control under pressure, at least long enough to generate a scoring chance. Neither his shots nor passes consistently cause danger, yet they are passable.
The most important takeaway about Moore is he has a lot of potential between his learning curve, conscientiousness, size, strength, and consistency. If stars align properly, the musically inclined hockey player could be a top-nine forward with two-way ability. If not, well, he still has size and intelligence to adapt into a bottom-six player’s role.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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