Jack Eichel
Second overall pick in 2015, Stanley Cup champion with Vegas in 2023.
John Robert Eichel (born October 28, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a center and alternate captain for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Eichel was selected second overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres. Before entering the league, Eichel was described at the age of 17 as "the new face of American hockey," and he was considered a member of a rising class of generational talents in the sport.
- Position
- Center
- Jersey Number
- 9
- Draft Status
- 1st Overall Pick (2015)
- Previous Franchise
- Buffalo Sabres
- Major Honour
- Stanley Cup Champion (2023)
- Leadership Role
- Alternate Captain
Lore & Background
Eichel was the recipient of the 2015 Hobey Baker Award, given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's ice hockey player. He was the second freshman to win the award, the other being Paul Kariya in 1993. Eichel won the Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023, his first playoff appearance.
In Their Own Story
The arena hums with anticipation as the lights dim over T-Mobile Arena. Eichel laces up his skates, the familiar sound echoing through the tunnel. Stepping onto the ice, the roar of the crowd washes over him. He takes a practice shot, watching the puck carve through the air before hitting the net. This is where he belongs.
Reader's Guide
Eichel was born on October 28, 1996, in Chelmsford, Massachusetts and grew up in North Chelmsford. He played for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons. He signed a letter of intent to commit to Boston University on April 29, 2014. In 40 games with Boston University, he led the nation in scoring with 26 goals, 45 assists, and 71 points. He was selected second overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2015 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres on July 1, 2015. He changed his jersey number from 15 to 9 before the 2018–19 season while with the Sabres. On November 4, 2021, he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. He made his debut with the Golden Knights on February 16, 2022.
Did You Know?
- Eichel scored his first NHL goal on October 8, 2015, becoming the youngest player in Sabres history to do so.
- He was named captain of the Sabres on October 3, 2018.
- Eichel scored his first career hat trick on December 15, 2017, against the Carolina Hurricanes.
- He was the second freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award, after Paul Kariya in 1993.
More in Players & Coaches
Elsewhere in the Vegas Golden Knights universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record