Sam Rinzel & Oliver Moore Show Talent, Confidence & Humility Ahead of NHL Debut

It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for the defenseman Sam Rinzel and Oliver Moore. They went from having their season with the University of Minnesota ended in a controversial fashion to becoming Chicago Blackhawks in less than two days. The first-round picks officially inked their NHL entry-level contracts on Saturday morning before joining their new teammates on the ice for practice. Interim head coach Anders Sorensen confirmed that both former first-round picks will be in the lineup for the game against the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday.

Turning Pro was Not an Easy Decision

Some may think that becoming an NHL player is a no-brainer, and players jump at the opportunity as soon as possible. That isn’t always the case. College life and playing for the Golden Gophers has been all Rinzel and Moore have known over the last two years. They have friends and an established life on campus, and to walk away from that at the drop of a hat is not as easy as some may think.

“It was really hard, one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make,” Rinzel revealed. “I talked to my parents a lot – not getting a whole lot of sleep after the game. Just trying to put emotions aside and finding what’s best for me. I cherish my two years at Minnesota—some of the best, if not the best, years of my life. I was so honored to be able to go there and be under that coaching staff. It gets emotional after losing and trying to make this decision.”

Rinzel and Moore have a tight bond. They were roommates and teammates at the University of Minnesota. They entered the program at the same time and now begin their NHL careers together.

“It’s been an emotional few days,” Moore said. “I’m super excited to be here. I’m thankful for my time with the Gopher hockey program. I feel I’m ready for the next phase, to take the next step, and to be a Blackhawk.”

Rinzel and Moore Make Good First Impression

After signing their first pro contracts and snapping a few photos, the young duo hit the ice for their first NHL practice. Moore was on the third line with Nick Foligno and Joe Veleno, while Rinzel was paired with Wyatt Kaiser. It should be noted that Connor Murphy took a maintenance day and is expected to play tomorrow, so the defensive pairings are not set in stone.

Sorensen said their skating was the aspect of their game that stuck out the most in their first practice. He added that he could tell they had been well-coached on their road to Chicago.

“Oliver was like a buzzsaw out there,” Sorensen said. “He seemed to have a very strong and firm stick. He’s got really good habits already. His passes are hard, and get off his stick quick. Sam, obviously, it’s his skating. He looks like he’s shot out of a cannon. It’s the same thing. I thought his habits were good for a first-day pro.”

Rinzel said that his skating in all three zones has improved throughout the season at Minnesota. He knows that paying attention to the small details of the game will get him where he wants to go.

“I think I simplified a lot while also keeping offense there,” he said. “Growing into my body, I still have to do that a little bit. Fine-tuning the details – knowing how to use my stick. Being able to gap up and shut people down quickly.”

Moore, just like Rinzel, does not lack confidence in his abilities. He already has the mindset of accepting the role given to him. His personal statistics took a hit this past season because he was used in a more defensive role and spent significant time on the penalty kill. The willingness to do whatever is asked of him for the good of the team is hard for some younger players to accept, but Moore is on board.

“For me, it was my all-around game,” Moore replied when asked what he’s improved on the most. “I felt like I was starting to dominate in many different facets of the game. Obviously, my production this year wasn’t Hobey Baker finalist or anything like that. But the chances I was getting and the places I was getting myself into, I think I’m going to get a lot of reps here wherever they play me.”

Two More High-Character Players Added to the Mix

When Kyle Davidson took over as Blackhawks’ general manager, he stressed the importance of having good people in the locker room. He wasn’t going to build this culture solely on talent. If you wanted to be a Blackhawk, you must have just as much character as talent. You can see that in both Rinzel and Moore.

Numerous aspects of this impressive pair today stood out: their on-ice abilities, confidence, and humility. Both mentioned their families multiple times and how grateful they were for their time at Minnesota. They know it took legions of supporters to get them to realize their dreams. Moore won’t forget that when he takes the ice at the United Center for the first time tomorrow.

“Gratitude,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing: everyone who has helped me get here. I’m a reflection of the people who have helped me get to this point today. It’s a miracle to play in the NHL. So many things have to go right.”

Moore called being in this young locker room a “unique and special opportunity” and said he could feel the excitement of what’s building. He admitted that there would be some butterflies in his stomach tomorrow, but he still oozed confidence while doing that.

“Obviously, there is going to be nerves,” he said. “I just want to do everything assertively and be confident. I know my abilities. I know what I’m capable of.”

Be excited, Blackhawks fans. The team will finish near the bottom of the NHL again, but this year feels different. The kids are starting to arrive, and they are beginning to show they belong at this level. Points be damned, this is a successful end to a trying season.