A native of Huntsville, Ontario, Ethan Moreau was drafted 14th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft while he was enjoying a fine junior career in the OHL with the Niagara Falls Thunder and a brief stint with the Sudbury Wolves. The young forward was returned to his junior team in 1994-95 then played 71 games for the IHL's Indianapolis Ice in 1995-96. Following a brief stint with the Hawks in 1995-96, Moreau showed signs of promise by scoring 15 goals, 31 points and registering 123 minutes in penalties in 1996-97, however, his play leveled off after that. Chicago sent him to the Edmonton Oilers late in the 1988-99 season, after only parts of three seasons with the club. Upon his arrival with the Oilers, Moreau saw increased ice-time and his offensive numbers showed. In 1999-00, he equalled at the time his career high for goals with 17, bettering that total in 2003-04 with 20 and since his arrival has emerged as one of the team leaders.