The Raiders added the leading scorer in Saskatchewan U15 AA hockey to their stable of prospects today. (Submitted Photo/SAAHL)
Raiders Select Moroz

“Speechless”: Raiders top pick Moroz reacts to first round selection

May 19, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Some people may have dissected a frog or learned what chemicals cause an explosion, but not many people had as much fun in their high school science class as Luke Moroz had on the day of the WHL Prospects Draft.

The native of Regina was sitting in class when he got the news he’d been selected 15th overall by the Prince Albert Raiders in the draft. It was the culmination of a season that saw him dominate the U15 AA ranks in the province.

“Pretty speechless, I didn’t really know what to say,” Moroz said. “I was sitting in science class and our teacher had it up on the board. It was insane.”

Not all of Moroz’s classmates are hockey fans, but plenty of them are, and quite a few of them are his teammates at the Prairie Hockey Academy. They reacted immediately.

“I go to an academy, and all of the academy kids ran into the room and were going crazy,” said Moroz. “It was awesome.”

Moroz was a highly touted player on many lists after an outstanding year but he wasn’t sure when he would get picked. For a Saskatchewan native, getting drafted by a team in his home province makes an already special moment even more so.

“I’m close to my parents, and my family can watch when I come down to play in Regina,” Moroz said. “That’s pretty sweet.”

What made Moroz so highly touted was the offensive toolbox at his disposal, which he used to tear apart the U15 AA ranks. As the league’s leading scorer with 108 points in just 27 games, Moroz supplied his own assessment of his offensive strengths.

“(I’m) a fast playmaker,” Moroz said. “I can move the puck well, skate fast, and I’ve got a good shot. I think I can play at top speed with the puck.”

Moroz’s year also included a stint in the U18 AAA ranks with the Moose Jaw AAA Warriors. During those two games, he picked up his first assist and even got an up close look at the building he may one day call home.

“I got to play against the Prince Albert Mintos, which was pretty cool, in the Art Hauser, and get used to that rink,” Moroz said. “It was awesome. It was super fast, way faster than bantam so it was nice to get my feet wet there and get ready for next year.”

As for getting to that next level, Moroz already has a list of things he wants to improve on before getting to AAA and then on to the WHL.

“Probably my physical side of the game and my acceleration to get my next gear to burn by defenders,” he said.

The Raiders originally held the 10th overall pick in the draft but moved back in a swap with the Seattle Thunderbirds, acquiring the 15th, 60th, and 126th picks.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter:: @RobMahonPxP

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