The University of Minnesota Will Reload With Oliver Moore

The University of Minnesota lost in the Frozen Four championship game. A lot of colleges might take years to reload, but the Golden Gophers have some solid players coming in next year, and one of them is a highly-rated center, Oliver Moore. 

Moore grew up in Mounds View, Minnesota. He played high school hockey before joining the National Team Development Program. 

“Hockey is huge. When I was growing up, I loved playing in the ‘State of Hockey’, said Moore. “I’m happy that I’m playing back in Minnesota and playing for the Gophers.” 

Whether he plays left wing or center, Moore is dangerous. Moore is very good on face-offs at this level and can draw the puck back for set-scoring plays. He’s the best skater in the draft, he has the speed and edgework that NHL stars have. His speed through the neutral zone is special. Offensively, he has an excellent one-timer. Moore has excellent puck possession, and his passing is very accurate. 

Many times, when players are fast on the ice, they are fast off the ice. Moore ran track and was a well-rounded athlete. 

“I am a fast runner as well. I played soccer growing up. I’m considered fast off the ice. People would say,” Moore added. 

In 53 games with the National U-18 squad, Moore had 26 goals and 38 assists. He had eight power-play goals, and six of those were game-winners. Plus, he had two short-handed as well, and that helps to illustrate the all-around player he has become. Moore was fourth on the team in scoring. In the USHL, Moore scored 25 points in 23 games.  

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In my current 2023 NHL Draft rankings, I have Moore in the top ten. Once the lottery balls fall into place, I’ll post a mock draft here on Full Press.  

Moore is terrific on the power play. He’s as good a distributor as he is a shooter. Moore can really show off his skating on 4-on-4, which leads one to believe he will be dynamite when playing in 3-on-3 overtime in the NHL someday.  

I think Moore will be a second-line talent but could end up as a top-liner, there’s a chance of that. He’s been getting elite training, and that won’t be any different when he gets to the Minnesota campus. 

Like most Minnesota sports fans, Moore likes his Twins and he’s very realistic about their chances this season with Carlos Correa. 

“I saw that. It was a good pickup for the Twins for sure,” Moore evaluated. “I went in the summer with a couple of buddies. Historically they haven’t been the best, but they have been fun to watch.” 

Moore is smart, and he’s a high-character guy. A lot of teams have him on their draft boards.