BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has signed forward Jack Eichel to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Selected second overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, Eichel (6’2”, 196 lbs., 10/28/1996) joins the organization after a standout season at Boston University (NCAA-Hockey East) in which he became the second freshman – after Paul Kariya in 1993 – ever to earn the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey’s top player.
A native of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Eichel led all NCAA players with 71 points (26+45) in 40 games in 2014-15. In the postseason, he led the Terriers to a conference championship, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the Hockey East Tournament before adding five points (2+3) in four NCAA Tournament games.
In addition to the Hobey Baker, Eichel racked up several other major postseason awards in 2014-15, including NCAA Rookie of the Year, first-team All-American, Hockey East Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, and was a unanimous selection as a first-team Hockey East All-Star.
Eichel also bolstered his international experience in 2014-15. After representing the United States as the youngest player on the roster at the 2014 World Junior Championship last season, Eichel captained the United States in his return to the tournament in 2015. In May, he joined Team USA at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, becoming the first draft-eligible player to play for the United States in the tournament since Phil Housley did so in 1982. Eichel recorded seven points (2+5) in 10 World Championship games to help Team USA to a bronze medal.
