Focused Jack Eichel set to lead USA at world juniors
Boston University freshman Jack Eichel's status as an NHL prospect has reached the point that he almost sounds too good to be true.
In addition to being the most-talked-about U.S. center prospect since Mike Modano was drafted No. 1 overall in 1988, Eichel also has a humility and leadership quality that endears him to teammates and coaches.
"It's just Jack being Jack," said Team USA general manager Jim Johannson. "He's a true team guy who leads by his level of play and by his interaction with everyone, including his teammates, coaches, training staff and equipment guys. He handles everything in a real comfortable and mature way. It all comes natural to him."
U.S. coach Mark Osiecki says Eichel "sounds like a coach" when he talks to his teammates.
Eichel is the captain of a U.S. squad that is considered a prime medal contender for the World Junior Championships that will be played in Toronto and Montreal starting Friday.
The USA opens with a game against defending champion Finland at 3 p.m. (NHL Network).
NHL scouts always flock to this tournament because it is a showcase for future NHL talent. Most top NHL players in the game today were stars at the WJC. But this year's event has added zest because Eichel and Canada's Connor McDavid are considered possible generational superstars. Those two players are expected to be drafted in the first two picks, making the draft similar in impact to 2004 when Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin went No. 1 and No. 2.,
Eichel and McDavid will play against each other on New Year's Eve at 4 p.m., also on NHL Network. McDavid has an extra layer of magic in his game and Eichel has an added helping of power.
"Eichel has a presence in every shift – the first two strides can get him to full speed and he plays with his head up," Johannson said. "Seeing the whole ice is effortless for him even when he is moving fast."
What will happen next June is not a major concern this week for Eichel, who says all that is concerning himself with is how the Americans will play.
"We need to focus on ourselves. That's our model – us," Eichel said. "That's important. We need to make sure we are really disciplined and resilient. We want to make sure if something bad happens or if we lose a game or someone scores a goal or another team gets momentum we have to make sure we can't mope about it. We have to go out and win the next shift. "
When Osiecki says Eichel can speak like a coach he's not exaggerating.
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"We want to be a puck possession team that is really good in transition and puts a lot of pressure on the other team," Eichel said.
The U.S. squad boasts a skilled forward group, including NHL first-rounders Sonny Milano (Columbus Blue Jackets), Nick Schmaltz (Chicago Blackhawks), Alex Tuch (Minnesota Wild) and Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings). Auston Matthews is a candidate to be the top pick in 2016.
"It is a deep all-around roster with very good goal-scoring capabilities along with great offensive instinct and vision of the ice," Johannson said.
The USA's defense includes Boston College's Noah Hanifin, who is projected to go in the first few picks of the 2015 draft, plus University of Michigan player Zach Werenski, also projected to be a first-rounder. Colorado Avalanche prospect Will Butcher is one of the alternate captains.
"The defense skates well and has puck skills – two key areas – getting the puck quickly and simply to our forwards coming out of our defensive zone," Johannson said. "They can play high-percentage hockey."