Chicago Blackhawks select Oliver Moore with No. 19 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks have selected forward Oliver Moore with the No. 19 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Moore is another member of the illustrious crop of highly-skilled forwards in this year’s draft class. He won’t overwhelm opponents with his size, but he more than makes up for it with his speed and defensive acumen. He has the smarts and the motor to be an effective NHLer for a long time.

The five-foot-eleven center collected 31 goals and 75 points in 61 games with the National Team Development Program during the 2022–23 season. He capped things off with four goals and nine points in seven games with at the 2023 U18 World Championship, as well.

Moore is the latest addition to a Blackhawks prospect pool that also includes Connor Bedard, Kevin Korchinski, Frank Nazar and more. The Blackhawks used their 2022 first-round selection(s) Korchinski, Nazar and Sam Rinzel in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft.

Chicago does not possess another pick in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Barring any additional moves, the Blackhawks will be back on the clock with the No. 35 pick in the second round.

Daily Faceoff‘s Steven Ellis ranked Moore as the No. 9 prospect available in this year’s draft. Here’s what he had to say about Moore in his final 2023 NHL Draft Rankings:

“Want a speedy, defensively reliable two-way center? Moore’s your guy. Some scouts I’ve talked to think Moore has some untapped potential to become one of the better players in this draft class. He’s so quick, but knows how to use his speed to his advantage as a playmaker, too.”

The Blackhawks finished the 2022–23 regular season with a 26-49-7 record and 59 points in 82 games, enough to finish 8th in the Central Division and 30th in the league. They ultimately missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.