Blackhawks scoop up speedster Oliver Moore 19th overall

The Chicago Blackhawks selected forward Oliver Moore with the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft on Wednesday.

Oliver Moore

Position: Center
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 188 lbs
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Club: U.S. National Team Development Program
Nationality: 🇺🇸
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 8th among North American skaters

2022-23 Stats

Moore's calling card is his speed and overall skating ability - he can flat-out fly. He's lightning-fast in a straight line but also has exceptional agility. His skating alone gives him a high floor as a top-nine NHL forward and a tantalizing ceiling if he can shore up other parts of his game.

But the Minnesota native brings more than just skating to the table. He possesses good hands, solid playmaking chops, and a high compete level that should make him a reliable defensive player in the pros. He's committed to Minnesota for next season.

What They're Saying

"Moore is the best skater in the draft. He has very good speed, and his edgework is NHL-elite caliber," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman, who has Moore as his No. 19 prospect. "He evades pressure so well and is able to go from a stop to a fast gear very quickly. He has very good hands to go with those feet and projects to get a ton of controlled zone entries in the NHL. I don't think his pure offensive touch as a scorer or playmaker will ever dazzle, and he'll be more of a secondary scorer on an NHL line."

"An exceptional skater with explosive speed, Moore is the fastest player in the draft," wrote FloHockey's Chris Peters, ranking Moore No. 12 on his board. "He is a weapon in transition and is never out of a play because his feet can make up for a lot. Moore still needs the puck skills and his processing speed to catch up to his feet, but if they do, he might be one of the best all-around centers in this draft."

Click here to watch Moore's highlights.