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“He’s a coach — and a good one — and I’m fortunate for the feedback he’s given me, just try to get me to play confident. I’m a different player than when I’m being timid and not effective.”

The vocal Babcock does not feel he’s been harder on Moore than any other recruit.

“I haven’t been critical of him once, I just tell the truth every day. I always tell people I don’t want to read anybody’s mind, I want them to tell me what they’re thinking, then I can please them.

“Moore has a chance to play in the NHL (but) he has a tendency to get in his own way and not have as much confidence as he should. That’s what I’ve tried to talk to him about as much as possible. He’ll get a good opportunity and I think (Dmytro) Timashov is right there (too). He’s been fantastic and it was between those two for this (game).”

Moore came here from the University of Denver where he knew lots about the Leafs through fellow Pioneer Tyler Bozak. Last year was his second in the AHL, both seasons with 33 points, but he truly found his niche in playoffs on a line with Mason Marchment and Adam Brooks.

The short summer, with a quick side trip to hoist the Cup for a day during a big family reunion in North Carolina, ended in the gym to be ready for September.

Marchment was hurt in the rookie tournament in Laval, but Brooks has had a fine camp.

“Mason, Adam and I had good chemistry, guys who just wanted to go out there and work harder than anyone else,” Moore said. “That was one thing all three of us took to heart and it changed our games.”