More than expected

John Moore turned off his cell phone and handed it to his mother last night about one hour into the NHL draft in the Bell Centre. "It was buzzing like crazy," he said. "I didn't want to be one of those guys who's on his cell phone (when he gets picked.)" Moore could have waited a bit longer for the cameras to turn his way -- longer than he expected and longer than the Blue Jackets believed possible. They drafted the lanky, swift-skating defenseman with the 21st pick, making him the first blue-liner they've taken in the first round since 2000. "He's a great skater," general manager Scott Howson said. "I mean, a great skater. "We're bringing a player into our organization who can transport the puck through a forecheck, both with his skating and with his ability to make the first pass. And he's 6-foot-2 and still growing." Moore played the past two seasons with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League. This past season, he had 14 goals and 25 assists in 57 games, earning the league's defenseman of the year award. He'll likely play next season for Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League, but Colorado College is also a possibility. "John has the ability to control a game," said former NHL player Ed Olczyk, whose son, Thomas, played midget Hockey with Moore. "He can certainly direct the puck to the net. His ability to create offense is his strength as a player. "I'm sure ( Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock) will enjoy having somebody like that on the back end, somebody who can play on the power play." Howson expected a rather boring evening for the Blue Jackets , but it turned out to be just the opposite. Early on, he traded the No. 16 and No. 77 overall picks to the New York Islanders in exchange for four picks -- Nos. 26, 37, 62 and 92. "I phoned (Islanders GM Garth Snow) six weeks ago," Howson said. "And I called him again this morning. We needed the extra picks." But Howson had another reason. Moore was a top-10 pick on the Blue Jackets' draft board and the sixth-ranked North American skater by the NHL Central Scouting Service. "We didn't think he would be there at No. 16," Howson said. "Not a chance." When Moore slid down the board, Howson went into overdrive, bouncing from table to table on the draft floor, trying to trade back up in the order. He said he made trade offers to Buffalo, Florida and Anaheim (with the 13th through 15th picks), then sat and stewed as the No. 16 pick came and went -- without Moore being chosen. "All the scouts took a deep breath after the 16th," Howson said. Then it was back to work. Howson continued making offers but found no takers until he chatted with Anaheim general manager Bob Murray. The Blue Jackets traded picks No. 26 and 37 for the 21st. "I didn't care if I went No. 6 or No. 20, to be honest," Moore said. "I wanted to go to whoever drafted me. I'm just excited to be a part of the Blue Jackets . "I don't know when I'll be ready to play in the NHL. I think I've got a couple of inches to grow still in me. I'm going to work hard every single day to get there." aportzline@dispatch.com Box Story: John Moore \ Rated No. 6 among North American skaters by the NHL's Central Scouting Service. ... Born in Chicago, now lives in Winnetka, Ill., a suburb. ... Played the past two seasons for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, where he was coached by former NHL defenseman Steve Poapst. ... Had 14 goals and 25 assists in 57 games this past season and was named the USHL's top defenseman. ... Could play for Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League or Colorado College next season.