Height: 6’0”

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of birth: March 22, 2000

Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

OHL Draft: Round 2, 40^th overall, 2016 Priority Selection

NHL Central Scouting pre-season: C Prospect

NHL Central Scouting mid-term: 130th North American Skaters

NHL Central Scouting final rank: Not available at present

A native of Sudbury Ontario, London Knights’ pivot Billy Moskal played his minor midget hockey with the Sudbury Wolves Minor Midget squad during the 2015-2016 season where he scored 18 goals and added 18 assists in 23 games.

Moskal has never been a stranger when it comes to putting up points. A year earlier, while playing Bantam AAA for the Sudbury Wolves, he scored 24 goals and 22 assists in 37 games. But it was during the playoffs where he stepped it up. In just 6 games, Moskal compiled 6 goals and 11 assists.

The Knights would select Moskal with their second-round pick at the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. He would be selected 40^th overall.

At the time of his draft, OHL Central Scouting had this scouting report:

Billy is one of the hardest working and hardest to play against players in this year’s draft. He brings everything he has each and every shift he is on the ice. His skating lets him create offense and allows him to get in the face of the opponent. He always finds a way to create offense for himself and his teammates. His compete level is very high, and he wins the majority of his battles for pucks. He is the kind of player that every coach loves to have on his team. 

Last season, Moskal split time with the Knights and the St Marys Lincolns of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. He would register 2 assists in 13 games with the Knights. With the Lincolns, Moskal would score 23 goals and 29 assists in 41 games and add 7 assists in 5 playoff games.

The list of personal and team achievements is impressive:

2013/2014:

NOMBHL Champion

2014/2015:

• Big Nickel International Tournament Bantam AAA All-Star Team
• Big Nickel International Tournament Bantam AAA Champion
• Big Nickel International Tournament Bantam AAA MVP

2015/2016:

GNHL Champion

2016/2017:

GOJHL Rookie of the Year (Western Conference)

Moskal has some impressive leadership qualities. He’s captained squads prior to the OHL while also being an Alternate Captain. It should come to no one’s surprise if Dale Hunter and his staff were to place a letter on his jersey for next season. As Central Scouting said prior to his draft, he is one of the hardest workers and hardest players to play against, and teammates just want to follow his lead.

Moskal’s size is okay. He is a very good skater with some very good speed. He get’s in on the forecheck quickly and isn’t afraid to get dirty and creates turnovers by doing so. He possesses silky-smooth hands and very good at keeping possession. He is shifty and can create scoring chances for himself or use those silky mitts to create chances for his teammates.

Moskal is a very intelligent player who understands the game at both ends. Coach Hunter wasn’t afraid to use Moskal in any situation, be it the penalty kill, powerplay, taking key faceoffs, or protecting the lead late in the game. He looks like a player who relishes the defensive responsibilities. He skates hard on the back-check, is positionally strong in his own zone, understands how to close off passing and shooting lanes and uses his body and stick effectively.

Moskal finished the regular season with 7 goals and 19 assists in 66 games for the Knights. He won 452 of 798 faceoffs for 56.6% – tops among draft eligible players in the OHL.

If I were to make an honest projection on Moskal, I can see him top out as a third line two-way pivot who is strong defensively and can provide some offence. Or he could play a fourth line energy guy who is skilled at killing penalties and be a top faceoff guy.

Stat Page of Billy Moskal from Elite Prospects