Oliver Moore has just accepted a major challenge from the Chicago Blackhawks and he immediately responds

Chicago didn't hand the 20-year-old an easy challenge; they moved him off the wing and into the middle of a line that needs answers right now.

Without center Frank Nazar due to a gruesome injury, Chicago needed answers.

Moore answered, and saw himself lining up at center for the first time in his NHL career on Tuesday night against the New York Islanders, with rookie Nick Lardis and veteran Teuvo Teravainen on his wing.

Nick Lardis brings the shoot-first rookie energy, Teuvo Teravainen brings the calm veteran routes, and Moore suddenly became the glue. That is a real NHL test, not a development-league one.

Center is about details, supporting low in your zone, getting above pucks in the neutral ice, and living with the ugly touches on the wall.

If you're a Hawks fan, you saw it right away; Moore looked like he belonged in the middle instead of just surviving shifts.

On Tuesday, he answered the challenge with two assists in his first game at center on that line, helping drag Chicago back into it.

Both helpers mattered; one set up Teravainen at 15:31 of the second period, and the other fed Lardis on a power play late in the frame. Chicago still fell 3-2 in a shootout to the New York Islanders.

The box score pop is clean too; Moore finished plus-2 and logged 15:21 of ice time, which is plenty for a rookie learning a new job midseason.

This is the kid the Blackhawks took 19th overall in 2023, and nights like this are why that pick made sense. Speed plays anywhere, but you still have to think about the game, especially at center.

Chicago didn't get two full points, but Moore gave them something just as important: proof that the experiment can work.

Related: Bedard-less Blackhawks close out 2025 with poor performance vs. Islanders Tuesday

Now the next milestone is simple: do it again, and make the coaches keep you there.