The fourth round of the NHL entry draft is a time for team to take some swings on undervalued players. The Montreal Canadiens did precisely that with their 113th-overall pick, taking the diminutive L.J. Mooney from the U.S. development program.
The Habs have had some success drafting undersized players from that program in the past, albeit significantly higher in the draft. Mooney does not come with the pedigree of their top-line winger, but he has enough skill to suggest that they may have found a real sleeper pick.
Birthplace: West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Date of birth: March 8, 2007
Shoots: Right
Position: Right Wing
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 157 lbs.
Team: U.S. National Team Development Pogram
Mooney had a very productive 2024-25 season, with 51 points as part of the U-18 team, another 28 with the juniors, and co-leading the American U-18 WJC team with 11 points in seven games. Normally, this kind of production puts you in higher-round conversations, like his co-leader at the WJC in William Moore, who went to the Boston Bruins in the second round.
Of course, a significant lack of size has always been something that can overshadow strong production. Mooney is headed to a very strong University of Minnesota program in the NCAA next season, so he’ll get a step up in competition and look to prove that he’s more than his measurements.

Size is definitely a concern. If you think Cole Caufield is small, Mooney clocks in at an inch shorter, and roughly 20 pounds lighter than the Canadiens’ sniper. He seems to land a shocking amount of big hits for someone of his stature, but this against junior competition.
He has an extremely high compete level, so he tries very hard to play the game as if he’s much bigger than he really is. Undersized players have to work a lot harder to make it professional and succeed once they’re there. The good news for Mooney is that for all his lack of size, he has a motor that simpl