When he was chosen with the second overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft last Friday, Jack Eichel said it’d be a few days before everyone knew his future at Boston University.
The news came five days later. The Buffalo Sabres announced Wednesday that they had signed Eichel to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The 2015 Hobey Baker Award winner in his only season with the Terriers, Eichel said last Friday that he was looking forward to being part of the new-look Sabres.
“Buffalo as a city and the Sabres as a team are heading in a great direction,” Eichel said after being drafted. “You look at some of the moves they’ve made, the guys they’ve acquired and the guys they have in the system, there’s a lot of positives. I just want to become a piece of the puzzle.”
Eichel led Division I men’s players with 71 points last season, becoming only the second freshman to win the Hobey — Maine’s Paul Kariya was the other, in 1993.
Boston University made it to the national championship game last season before falling to Providence.
“My staff and I would like to congratulate Jack on taking another step toward his ultimate goal of playing in the National Hockey League,” Boston University coach David Quinn said in a statement. “Despite playing here for just one year, his contributions both on and off the ice were immeasurable. We wish him and his family the best of luck.”
Eichel played in the World Junior Championship and helped the Americans to a bronze medal at the World Championship.
“I’d like to thank the Boston University family for everything that they have done for me,” Eichel said in a statement released by the school. “This past season has been one of the best years of my life. I’d like to especially thank Coach Quinn and his staff, all of the equipment and medical personnel, my teammates, my academic advisors and the entire athletic department. I’m looking forward to starting the next chapter in my life with the Buffalo Sabres but I will always be indebted to BU.”
