Three days after being selected No. 21 overall in the NHL draft, the defenseman, regarded for his speed and above-average puck-handling skills, skated into development camp to show off his skills to the coaches.

So far, he has lived up to the hype. Not afraid to enter the scoring zone, Moore, 6 feet 2 and 189 pounds, can get down the ice in three or four strides and has a knack for creating scoring chances.

That's partly why the Blue Jackets, who ranked near the bottom of the league in defensive scoring last season, targeted Moore, an 18-year-old from the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, Ill., who was the United States Hockey League defenseman of the year last season.

"When a guy can skate as good as him, everything else comes naturally and easily," Blue Jackets development coach Tyler Wright said. "Those are the guys that understand the game. When you get that kind of package together, it's just a matter of time before he can become an impact player."

How much time remains to be seen. Moore leaves camp at a crossroads. Although he committed to Colorado College two years ago, he has the option of playing for Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League this fall.

For Moore, it depends on where he thinks he can most improve his game. The shorter season of college hockey would allow more time in the weight room and at practice. Junior hockey, on the other hand, would match him against bigger, stronger and faster competition.

"It's a big decision, so it's something I'll need to sit down and talk with (my parents) and my family adviser about and hopefully pick (general manager Scott) Howson's brain about," Moore said. "I don't know if it will be a spur-of-the-moment thing. It'll be something I really have to think out."

No matter what he decides, Moore has shown Blue Jackets coaches he can make a splash wherever he ends up.

"This kid is going to excel at whatever program he goes to. Whatever decision he makes is entirely fine with us," Wright said.

Moore was one of the 14 defensemen at camp, a position of focus for the Blue Jackets. Three of the team's five draftees were defensemen. Moore's speed and mobility, Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said, will be "his calling card" in reaching the NHL.

"(Defense) is an area of need for us," Wright said. "At the NHL level, you can't always go out and sign your Scott Niedermayers and guys like that. You're going to have to grow them and draft them, and you're going to have to put your time in."

Moore might be the best example of that.

zswartz@dispatch.com