Mooney delivered an excellent freshman year with the University of Minnesota, posting seven goals and 23 assists for 30 points in 34 games. He drove offense consistently, tying for the team lead with nine multi-point outings and producing 18 points in 18 games against top-10 opponents – a clear indicator of big game potential from a player who always seems to rise to the occasion. A seven-game point streak in January showcased his ability to take over stretches of play, and he earned immediate trust from coaches at both ends of the ice.

Sweden Scores Five Unanswered in Comeback Victory Over Team USA

Undeterred, Team USA kept the pressure on and capitalized on two quick goals shortly after. LJ Mooney put the US on the board with his first goal of the showcase on a play in tight, roofing the puck over the goaltender. Just 38 seconds later, Nick Bogas beat Måns Goos with a wrist shot from the point to give the Americans a 2-0 lead.

Grabbing a player as skilled as Mooney in the fourth round is money for Montreal. If not for his size, he has all the work ethic and skill of a first-round pick. It is statistically known that smaller players have less of a chance of being an NHL regular – but I would bet that he breaks that mold. Having a chance to watch him play at the World Junior Summer Showcase, he plays the game with heart and the kind you can’t teach – similar to Gallagher. He drives the net hard, he battles in corners, and he isn’t afraid to get hit. Some might say he gets hit too often, but that’s just the way he plays – he is a warrior. Mooney is also very skilled offensively. He skates very well, has great edges, and is known for his elite vision. His desire to set up his linemates for chances is what makes him such a good hockey player. He stood out right away at the Canadiens development camp, and I can’t wait to track his progress this year at the University of Minnesota.

Selected 113th overall, L.J. Mooney is now a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

A very fast, intense forward with a hard shot who, ultimately, finds themselves on the perimeter more often than you would like.

Canadiens’ USHL Connection: A History of Prospect Success 

LJ Mooney

L.J. Mooney was drafted 113th overall (4th round) by Montreal in 2025. He projects as a high-skill, high-tempo playmaker. He is a dynamic, creative forward who could develop into a top-six offensive option if he can overcome his smaller stature, something the Canadiens have had success in developing in past prospects.

DRAFTPRO – 2023 FALL INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT REVIEW

#38 LJ Mooney, F, USA, 5’6”, 145, R, DOB 3.8.2007

Mooney has an incredible shot with a deadly release. He is a speedy forward who creates time and space on the ice. Mooney goes into the corners and battles for the puck. He is a player who works hard and leaves it all out on the ice. Mooney is a player who has good hands and can stick handles in tight spaces and maintain control. He is confident enough to go to the net front and knows how to protect the puck or remain open to receive the puck when doing so. Mooney has an excellent shot and a very quick release the puck will be on his stick for only a moment. He has a nasty edge to his play and really works players over in the corner. Mooney has some of the Gallagher edge to his game. He has a good all-around game with some skill and a bit of a scoring touch. Mooney will have a chance at being a third-round pick but likely fall to the fourth unless he scores more regularly. – Andy Miller

His skill level is the defining feature of his projection. Mooney’s hands and feet are extremely quick, allowing him to make plays at high speed and beat defenders with ease. He trains with Logan Cooley and reportedly grades out even better in some skill areas at the same age, though at 5-7, his size remains the biggest variable in his NHL outlook. There is optimism he could grow closer to 5-10 like his father, but even if he doesn’t, his upside is significant.

The key developmental areas are his scanning habits, off-puck routes and shot volume. He can rely on pure skill to solve problems, which sometimes works against him in structured play. When engaged and reading the game, though, his passing accuracy and pace make him a dangerous dual-threat creator.

Mooney’s ceiling resembles players like Johnny Gaudreau if he can refine the mental side, while a more median outcome might look like Nick Robertson. His floor remains low due to size and durability concerns, but after a strong first year, he is one of the Montreal Canadiens’ most intriguing long-term swings.

Final Ranking – A skilled forward with high-end vision, intensity and speed, though he needs to find the middle and leverage his shot more often to find success at higher levels.—

After a scary leg injury early in the year, I think it’s fair to say that most wrote-off Mooney. Credit to him, Mooney was able to come back, return to form, play 51 NTDP games (and the full U18s), and built on his 2024/25 totals with a productive, point-per-game season. However, as a smaller player who—despite his shot—leans significantly on perimeter, transition playmaking, and struggles to gain the middle in Junior, Mooney will be plagued by translatability questions until he can incontrovertibly prove the doubters wrong.—Luke Sweeney