Moore signs professional contract with minor league team

SJU senior forward Auggie Moore signed a professional contract with the Quad City Storm, a team in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) based in Moline, Ill. on March 14.

Moore signed on for the remainder of the season, meaning that he is in Illinois for approximately another month. Moore is the fifth Johnnie to sign a professional contract in the last six years.

“When the opportunity came up, I thought it would be a fun and exciting way to get out of my comfort zone,” Moore said.

While in Illinois, Moore lives in an apartment with the team’s equipment manager. Players who have been there all year typically live with each other in apartments, so this was the most convenient housing option. Moore chose to play for the Storm because SJU head hockey coach Doug Schueller also had a contract with the organization. Moore also knew some of their players before accepting the offer, and they all had great things to say about the organization. According to Schueller, Moore’s good character and leadership are qualities that teams always seek.

“Auggie is a very skilled hockey player that has the ability and puck skills to make plays at a high level,” Schueller said. “He has the ability to think [about] the game at a high level as well, which is important at the pro level.”

Assistant hockey coach Cory Thorson agreed that Moore is a skilled forward with strong puck skills.

“He has the ability to slow down games and is a strong skater. He is very good in small areas with the puck and has a good vision of seeing the ice,” Thorson said.

Moore is a three-time All-MIAC honoree, ending his college career with 92 points, including 11 power-play goals and 11 game-winners. Additionally, he has been a captain of the SJU hockey team for the past two years and finished as the team’s top scorer in three of the past four seasons.

“Being a two-year captain, we had the pleasure to watch him lead our team to two strong years in the MIAC. As a first-year, he and his class carried us to a MIAC Regular Season Championship,” Thorson said.

According to the SJU hockey coaches, many leaders on the team will help fill Moore’s role next season.

“He has some tough shoes to fill. We currently have strong junior and sophomore classes that have some players that we see stepping up into that leadership role,” Thorson said.

Moore gives all the credit to his teammates and the staff at SJU for helping him along the way for the last four years.

“I truly would not have ever got this opportunity without everything they have done for me on and off the ice,” Moore said.