By Warren Kozireski —
Soon to be 18-year-old Will Moore is a bit of a rarity playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program though he spent most of his youth hockey days in Canada. That is because he holds dual citizenship.
“My dad is from Ithaca; my granddad was an (American History) professor at Cornell. I was born in Mississauga but have a lot family (in Ithaca) and go back there all the time,” Moore explained.
“I grew up in Ontario, played in Ontario my whole life but now play for the red, white and blue and that’s all I go by now.”
Moore spent three seasons with the Mississauga Senators program in the Greater Toronto Hockey League and one year with the Toronto Marlboros before heading to Plymouth, Michigan and the USNTDP.
Team USA’s leading scorer through the end of January with 17 goals and 14 assists, the 6’2”, 175 lb. center is headed to Boston College this fall. But before that he will be picked in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft probably in the second or third round as he was ranked 32nd among North American skaters by Central Scouting in their midterm rankings.
The coaching staff has Moore playing in all situations including the first power play unit and the penalty kill plus most of the defensive zone draws.
“It’s going good (and) getting better every day,” Moore said about his current campaign. “Trend in the right direction and hope for a big second half. The team itself, I think, is in a great spot and we’re all just looking toward a gold medal.
“I play very offensive, very high IQ in creativity…to help elevate my linemates. I’d say this year I’ve developed more of a 200-foot game and just continuing to grow. I built size over the summer and being able to translate that power to the ice has been a big help. Also, a lot of studying video and finding all the ways that I can help my team on both sides of the ice.
“I put in a lot of effort in practice working on faceoffs, so a lot of work goes in behind the scenes building trust in practice and games and it’s an honor to be out there in key situations helping out my team and I try to make the best of it.”
As for Boston College?
“Everything was perfect about it. Love the coaching staff, the campus was amazing, there’s nothing I don’t like honestly.”
And looking way ahead to his professional hockey future, Moore will undoubtedly be in the team band playing keyboards.
“Played at Carnegie Hall and won some competitions; it was fun.”
(Photos by USA Hockey NTDP)
