L.J. Mooney is an 18-year-old right-shooting center and right-wing from West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. He spent the 2024-25 season playing with the U18 U.S. National Team and the USNDTP Juniors, as well as appearing in the 2025 U18 World Junior Championships. He is projected to be selected early in the second round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Draft Projection
#38 Inside The Rink
#206 NHL Central Scouting NA Skaters
Diving Deeper
Mooney spent the entirety of the 2024-25 Season within the U.S. National Development Program, starting the year off with the U18 U.S. National Team, where he played in 51 games, with 10 goals and 41 assists, finishing his time there with 51 points. He then went on to play for the USNDTP Juniors, scoring five goals and 23 assists over 26 games. During the 2025 U18 World Junior Championship, he played in seven games, scoring two goals and nine assists.
Hockey IQ
L.J. Mooney is a fast, smart puck-moving forward who plays his best during a high-speed game. He primarily played as a center throughout the 2024-25 season ,but his skill will translate better on the wing in the NHL. Mooney has a very strong motor and is a strong skater; he uses his size to weave through tight spots in order to maintain control of the puck. When he is off the puck, he still plays a strong game, between covering defensemen to blocking shots, he has a strong skillset with good vision.
Room for Improvement
Mooney’s size, like many other prospects, is projecting him to fall out of the first round. He also sometimes overhandles the puck, wanting to do everything himself rather than relying on his teammates. His size has impacted his reach, which has resulted in Mooney struggling to disrupt the opponent’s puck possession. He also has a hard time creating offense outside of the power play.
Final Thoughts
Despite the areas that Mooney could improve on, he could very well be a top-six forward if he is developed properly. He is more likely to end up in a middle-six role with his size and skills, but he would be a great addition to any roster.
ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing – Inside The Rink
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