F John "LJ" Mooney - Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, U16 AAA (2025 Draft)

[bigdog16]

I just find it hard to believe that he’s a better prospect than Hagens

Hagens is a lot more projectable. Mooney for sure has a higher ceiling though.

Right now Hagens is a more complete player and a lot of that has to do with playing with the NTDP. Mooney is playing up an age group and is the best player on the ice most nights. Mooney could play up an age year on the u17 NTDPs right now if it was allowed.

 

[clevelandcane]

Yeah, me too. That's a day-and-a-half of driving for me.

Found the tourney website, well the part for the 16U group with Mooney and Roobroeck. BK Selects are there, too.

Finals > 2022-2023 > Whitby Finals > Divisions > U16 15U AAA (2007) (International Silver Stick)

silverstick.org powered by MBSportsWeb

silverstick.org

EDIT: Sorry, my guess that it was Mooney's team was wrong. It is a 16U tournament and he is on Pittsburgh's 16U team, but it's the 15U team that is going to this tournament.

Thanks for the info! I'll use that link to follow along.

 

[canuck2010]

Cullen Potter is up there, William Moore if he decides to represent USA internationally is up there.

Other notable kids include Cole McKinney, William Belle, Masun Fleeve, Gavin Kor, Conrad Fondrk, Lucas Sawchyn, Cooper Dennis, William Horcoff just to name a few

Sawchyn and Horcoff are duals as well i think.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Sawchyn and Horcoff are duals as well i think.

I’m not entirely sure with Horcoff - his father played in Edmonton when he was born, but it is reported he was born in Birmingham, Michigan. Anyway - I don’t see anyway Horcoff doesn’t represent the USA internationally however.

Sawchyn is for sure a dual citizen - and it’ll be interesting to see what his brother, Graycn does. It likely gives a clearer picture of what Lucas will do. I still believe both are likely to represent USA.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Happy to see him getting some hype. I’ll have to check him out for the Pens Elite. Love seeing the guys from Pittsburgh start to go high especially from our program.

 

[clevelandcane]

I watched him today. The Pens played Gilmour academy in Cleveland. He is definitely the real deal at this age. Pens lost 3-5 by the way in an upset.

His skating ability, his edges, his motor, and his pick handling really stood out. He is patient but when he decides to go, he has another gear.

I believe he had 1 assist today, no goals. He did have a breakaway but was stoned by the G.

One thing that I saw and did not like was the abuse he endured. The kid is on the small side and is a year younger than the others. The Gilmour kids took some cheap shots at him. Much to his credit, he did not back down and did not overreact.

The fans for Gilmour knew him and were on him too. I'm guessing he endures this everywhere he goes. Much to his teammates ' credit, they were there to support him - especially Sewicke.

One other kid stood out for me and I've seen him before and enjoy his game. That's Patrick Fortune. Smaller kid but good skater and quick shot. Scored one of the Pens goals today.

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

I watched him today. The Pens played Gilmour academy in Cleveland. He is definitely the real deal at this age. Pens lost 3-5 by the way in an upset.

His skating ability, his edges, his motor, and his pick handling really stood out. He is patient but when he decides to go, he has another gear.

I believe he had 1 assist today, no goals. He did have a breakaway but was stoned by the G.

One thing that I saw and did not like was the abuse he endured. The kid is on the small side and is a year younger than the others. The Gilmour kids took some cheap shots at him. Much to his credit, he did not back down and did not overreact.

The fans for Gilmour knew him and were on him too. I'm guessing he endures this everywhere he goes. Much to his teammates ' credit, they were there to support him - especially Sewicke.

One other kid stood out for me and I've seen him before and enjoy his game. That's Patrick Fortune. Smaller kid but good skater and quick shot. Scored one of the Pens goals today.

Thanks for sharing that. Always great to get a first-hand scouting report.

 

[clevelandcane]

Thanks for sharing that. Always great to get a first-hand scouting report

Thanks for sharing that. Always great to get a first-hand scouting report.

Almost forgot. Folks want to compare him to Hagens. I thought they were very different players. Hagens is more deceptive and calm. Mooney was quick and all over the ice. I'd love to see the both more. Hard to describe but both are fantastic.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Vince Trocheck shouted out Mooney today when interviewed by the Pittsburgh media in Pittsburgh for a game later tonight.

Said he knows him, along with Cooley. Seems like all the Pittsburgh players know each other and stick together.

 

[DatDude44]

Vince Trocheck shouted out Mooney today when interviewed by the Pittsburgh media in Pittsburgh for a game later tonight.

Said he knows him, along with Cooley. Seems like all the Pittsburgh players know each other and stick together.

They skate in the summers together...same with most pro's/high end younger guys in most american cities since they'll work with the same coaches/trainers

STL the tkachucks, marron, widemans etc.....

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

Vince Trocheck shouted out Mooney today when interviewed by the Pittsburgh media in Pittsburgh for a game later tonight.

Said he knows him, along with Cooley. Seems like all the Pittsburgh players know each other and stick together.

This video was posted five years ago. Not sure it's been included in the thread yet.

 

[Postulates]

Video from 7 years ago about him find it cool to see now considering this has millions of views

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Invited to the NTDP camp.

 

[Postulates]

Listed at 5'5" according to the Line Charts NZ posted

 

[BigHitter67]

5’5 ..134lbs at 16 !? Guessing those aren’t accurate..

 

[JiggsNY]

Could be accurate, he does look quite small. Still very early.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Could be accurate, he does look quite small. Still very early.

Chase Allen is one of the best in the scene for up-and-coming prospect evaluation. He is an amazing follow on twitter for anyone looking to follow prospects more.

 

[Bonin21]

Chase Allen is one of the best in the scene for up-and-coming prospect evaluation. He is an amazing follow on twitter for anyone looking to follow prospects more.

A bit hard to take seriously with that profile pic, to be honest.

 

[BigHitter67]

Could be accurate, he does look quite small. Still very early.

Early? Kid is already 16 lol..
No way he’s only 5’5. In the clips there he looks minimum 5’7 ..

 

[Trojans86]

Cullen Potter is up there, William Moore if he decides to represent USA internationally is up there.

Other notable kids include Cole McKinney, William Belle, Masun Fleeve, Gavin Kor, Conrad Fondrk, Lucas Sawchyn, Cooper Dennis, William Horcoff just to name a few

Potter is an absolutely amazing skater. My kid skates with him and his parents and it is mind blowing to see how he moves.

 

[IWillMakeTheNHL]

Why is he trending on elite prospects? Did he do something notable recently?

 

[Bonin21]

 

[JotAlan]

Does this kid have the greatest potential to compete with Misa and Hagens for the best player of 2025?

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Does this kid have the greatest potential to compete with Misa and Hagens for the best player of 2025?

I think its always been the case he's seen as the top 07 American and ahead of his cousin Logan Cooley at the same age - only thing that could be a hinderance is the size

 

[Oak]

Lol people drooling over a player that is 5'5 and 140 pounds? Yes I see the skill and speed but this is like drooling over Dhooge a few years ago. Yes a fan favorite but I mean c'mon guys lets wake up and smell the roses here.