By Matt Noonan
Boston University rising sophomore Jack Eichel became the first skaters from this past weekend’s NHL Draft to ink his name on a three-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.
Eichel, who hails from Chelmsford, was the second round pick in this year’s draft. His decision to sign with Buffalo ended his collegiate career with the BU men’s ice hockey team.
“I’m super excited to be a part of this organization,” Eichel told NHL.com. “I signed today and that makes it official that I’ll be leaving school and pursuing my career in professional hockey, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.”
As a member of the BU Terriers men’s ice hockey team, Eichel claimed the Hobey Baker Award (second freshman to earn the award since Maine’s Paul Kariya won it in 1993) and netted 26 goals and 45 assists in 40 games. Eichel guided the Terriers to a Hockey East regular-season and tournament crown, and helped the Terriers reach the NCAA Championship contest.
