William Moore (C, L, 6’2″, 175, NTDP U18, 03/24/2007, Boston College)
William Moore is a highly skilled, offensively driven center with National League height and elite puck-handling ability, making him a potential first round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. His hockey IQ, vision, and creativity in the offensive zone set him apart as a dynamic playmaker and scoring threat. While his offensive ceiling is high, his defensive play, consistency, and physical engagement require development. With focused development, Moore has the potential to be a top-line NHL center capable of impacting the game in all situations.
Strengths
Elite Hockey IQ and Vision:
Moore reads the play exceptionally well, consistently finding seams and creating offensive opportunities for himself and teammates.
He has a knack for exploiting defensive breakdowns, using his awareness and quick decision-making to make high-percentage plays.
Puck Handling and Creativity:
Moore’s puck-handling ability and puck control zone are among the best in his age group. His soft hands and deceptive stickhandling make him a constant threat.
He is excellent at creating space, using changes in pace and direction to beat opponents.
Offensive Instincts and Scoring Touch:
Moore combines his playmaking ability with a quick and accurate shot. He excels at creating and finishing chances with little space to work with.
His ability to process situations quickly allows him to adjust on the fly, making him unpredictable.
Size and Athleticism:
Standing at 6’2″, Moore has a projectable frame and uses his reach effectively to protect the puck.
While not yet fully developed physically, he shows flashes of using his size to absorb contact and maintain possession.
Faceoff Ability:
Winning 51% of his faceoffs, Moore shows promise as a reliable center in the dot, with potential to improve further with added strength and refinement.
Areas for Improvement
Physical Development:
At 175 lbs, Moore’s frame is still filling out. He needs to add strength to better compete in puck battles (41% win rate) and withstand the physicality of higher levels of play.
Increased physicality and the ability to play through contact will elevate his effectiveness as a two-way center.
Defensive Engagement:
Moore’s defensive play is an area for growth. He has a tendancy to puck watch and will focus more on offensive opportunities than staying on top of his man.
Consistency and Compete Level:
While Moore is capable of dominating shifts, his effort level can waver. There are too many stretches where he lacks the intensity needed to be a top line player in the NHL.
Puck Management:
Moore’s high-risk, high-reward style can lead to turnovers in the grey areas that catch his teammates going the wrong way (6 giveaways per game). Improving his puck management, particularly in transition and under pressure, will be key as he faces stronger competition.
Key Development Goals
Strength and Physicality: Focus on building muscle mass, power and explosiveness to play through contact in high-traffic areas.
Defensive Awareness: Improve positional play and engagement in his own zone to become a reliable two-way center.
Consistency: Establish a high compete level and bring sustained intensity throughout games.
Puck Management: Limit turnovers.
Shooting Deception: This will improve his ability to better capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Projection
Moore projects as a potential top-six NHL forward, with the ceiling of a dynamic, offensive driver and power-play quarterback. If he can round out his defensive game, maintain consistency, and add physicality, Moore could be a franchise-level talent.
Draft Outlook
We currently have Moore rated as an early second round selection but there is no doubt he is a likely to be mid-first round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. His elite skill set and offensive upside make him one of the most watched players in his class, but his lack of consistency and willingness to take the long road to the puck lead us to be a bit more cautious.
Player Comparison
Trevor Zegras – A creative, playmaking center with elite vision and offensive instincts, capable of controlling the game when the puck is on his stick.
Final Assessment
William Moore’s blend of size, skill, and hockey IQ makes him one of the premier talents in the 2025 NHL Draft. His offensive abilities are elite, and his potential to impact games as both a playmaker and a scorer is undeniable. With continued development in his physical and defensive game, Moore has the potential to become a top-line NHL center and a cornerstone for his future team.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images