Jack Eichel, the Next American Hockey Star, Is Almost Here

It's Jack Eichel's eighteenth birthday today, but he isn't going to get crazy.

No, the Boston University center and possible first overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft isn't going to crash any keg parties or sneak into some seedy watering hole with a fake ID on his way to Instagram infamy. Instead, he's going to keep things fairly tame.

"It's a Tuesday night so I'll probably go to study hall for a bit and maybe have my parents take me to dinner afterwards," the fresh-faced teen says in a fairly thick Northeastern accent, less than an hour after Boston University celebrated a 1-0 win in their home opener against Michigan State.

Eichel—who TSN Analyst and former NHL scout Craig Button calls a "generational player"—carries the weight of being the next great American hockey star, but the 6'2", 194 lb. freshman remains nonplussed, boring even. Not even comparisons to Mario Lemieux have freed his inner Money Manziel, or even his inner Patrick Kane. When he takes the stage after being drafted, don't expect much more than a nod and, maybe, a flash of his infectious smile. The next would-be American hockey great betrays little in the way of American egotism.

"I only live half an hour away from campus," says Eichel. "It's pretty nice as well to be able to go home on the weekends, do some laundry, and have a nice home cooked meal."

The aw shucks demeanor would come across as forced if it weren't so organic. In a city with no shortage of distractions and opportunities for adolescent fuck-ups, Eichel instead invokes a phrase Phil Kessel, another U.S. hockey star, uses to describe himself, even if it is tongue-in-cheek: "Nice guy. Tries hard. Loves the game."

What Eichel lacks in headline grabbing dramatics off the ice, he makes up for on it.

His stride is, to put it mildly, explosive. While his work in the offensive zone shows depth, he has quickly developed a trademark move: blow by the defenseman on the outside and use his size to muscle directly towards the net. He'll need to beef up his lean frame to make that move work as well when he faces off against hulking NHL defensemen. For now, Eichel, constantly flush-faced, makes it look easy.

If you can catch a glimpse of him as he flies down the ice, he appears lanky. But deceptiveness is part of his game. His short, curly red hair and disarming smile makes him look more rascal than power forward.

"Jack in no shrinking violet," says Button. "He delivers at the most crucial and critical times." Eichel's Boston University coach, former Colorado Avalanche assistant David Quinn, agrees. "Jack is the real deal," he told reporters after the team's home opener.

Still, there's extra pressure on Eichel. He's drawn an increasingly heightened media presence at Boston University games and practices. Quinn believes Eichel is handling that pressure "remarkably well" and his reasoning should shock no one: "I've said it all along; he handles it because it's already handled." Quinn's claims would ultimately prove true during the following night's game against the University of Michigan.

Down 2-1 to Michigan early in the third period, Eichel batted an errant shot out of mid-air, corralled the puck, and stuffed it behind Michigan goalkeeper Zach Nagelvoort to tie the game. Overcome with emotion, Eichel dashed towards the boards pumping his fist, all while screaming into the Northeast stands. The goal sent BU on their way to a 3-2 victory and kept the team's undefeated record intact.

"We knew it had to come from within us," he says of his team's response in the third period. "It was a really big game and a big moment to score a goal like that," he says, smiling bashfully. "It's just instinct there."

The comparisons to American greats such as Mike Modano and Kane come readily, but those close to Eichel say the ego that might accompany such lofty expectations has yet to take root in the 18-year-old's mind.

"When he hears his name against players like Modano he's extremely humbled," says Peter Ward, the director of player personnel for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. Ward has watched Eichel since he was 13 years old. He adds that the exposure and attention is "surreal for [Eichel] but it's his new reality."

However, once Eichel is drafted, he could end up hard-pressed to garner any attention at all. The Florida Panthers are a potential destination and their lack of a prototypical number one center makes Eichel a natural fit. But would his talents go unnoticed in a market that has shown little interest in the Panthers as of late?

Or perhaps he's destined for Raleigh, North Carolina, home of the Hurricanes—a team with just two points in seven games thus far and whose franchise player, Eric Staal, is on the wrong side of his prime. Like the Panthers, the Hurricanes could use Eichel not just for his skills, but as a possible solution to its attendance woes; the team's attendance numbers place them in the bottom third of the league.

It seems America's next great hockey player might have to ply his talents in a market where hockey is an afterthought.

This is where the comparisons to Mike Modano become apt. Many in the hockey world scoffed at the long-term viability of the Stars franchise after it left the hockey hotbed of Minnesota for Dallas in 1993. As one of the NHL's early forays into non-traditional southern markets, the Stars overcame early skepticism to thrive and eventually won a Stanley Cup in 1999, thanks in no small part to Modano's raw skill and far-reaching influence. When Eichel is asked which American player he most looks up to, the answer is right on cue.

"I like Mike Modano," he says. "His career speaks for itself."

Eichel's game does the same. Eichel sees the whole ice, showing no rush to shoot while controlling the flow of action. He is patient and poised, and makes difficult no-look passes look effortless. On defense, Eichel uses his size to maximum effect, and is fast enough to catch up to and tie up opposing defenders on the rush. He is especially effective on the penalty kill.

At the Michigan State game, one on-ice habit stands out in particular. After stoppages in play, Eichel looks to the video screen overhead for replay footage. At first, this could be confused for typical teenage vanity, but even after his most precise efforts, Eichel shakes his head. He is studying himself, learning from his mistakes.

"I have to improve everywhere," he says. "I need to work on my faceoffs, one-timers, and moving the puck quicker," he continues, "I need to get stronger too. With the season we have we have most days during the week off so I can get lots of time in the weight room and keep practicing. I have to turn fewer games into an advantage."

Throughout the game, Michigan State makes obvious efforts to rough him. He keeps his calm and notches an assist on the game's only goal. Afterward, he insists that he doesn't have a target on his back. He's not worried. It's as if he knows there are many more assists and goals to come.