Oliver Moore represented the United States at the recent IIHF World Championship. He had three assists in his eight games as Team USA’s gold medal defense came to an end in a quarterfinal loss to Canada. While his stats didn’t set the world on fire, he made an impression on a big stage, including catching the eye of one of the NHL’s top players.
A Proven Winner Loves Moore’s Game
Florida Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk was a late addition to Team USA’s roster. He eventually wound up on the top line with Moore. On the latest episode of with his brother Brady, Matthew had high praise for the young Blackhawks forward.
“Oliver Moore is going to be a legit 15-year stud in the NHL,” Tkachuk said. “He’s just a guy that you can win with. He’s a fast, physical freak. A smart player; he makes some good reads, but his legs and his motor are just insane. He would take the puck from one end to the other, and I’d be in my little area on the right side. Everyone would go to him, and he’d just dish it to create space. I loved playing with him.”
Some Blackhawks fans wondered why Moore participated in the tournament after missing the final 19 games of the season with a knee injury. He was close to returning to finish out the season and participated in the final few practices. Had the Blackhawks been playing for a playoff spot, he likely would have returned to the lineup. But since they weren’t, the team erred on the side of caution. With over a month before the Worlds started, he had plenty of time to get back to 100%.
Playing in a tournament like the World Championship is a great experience for a youngster like Moore. Frank Nazar had a terrific outing last year, and it carried over into the start of the regular season. Getting to play with and against some of the league's top players will only benefit Moore.
To have a two-time Stanley Cup champion like Tkachuk call you a stud says a lot. He knows what winning hockey looks like and what it takes to take home the sport’s ultimate prize. Once Moore and the Blackhawks figure out exactly what his role is, he will take off. Being a “15-year stud” remains to be seen, but that would be just fine with the Blackhawks and their fans.
