Eichel - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel’s wild summer almost over

TORONTO – The Summer of Jack is almost over. Believe it or not, in 10 days, Jack Eichel will be in a Buffalo Sabres uniform for a rookie camp prospects game against the New Jersey Devils, officially ending what the phenom called a “whirlwind” offseason.

“I think it’s starting to get real,” Eichel, the second overall pick, said Tuesday at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase inside Mattamy Athletic Centre, site of the old Maple Leaf Gardens.... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel plans to live with veteran Matt Moulson

TORONTO – Shortly after the Buffalo Sabres drafted Jack Eichel second overall June 26, veteran winger Matt Moulson, his future teammate, congratulated the 18-year-old and then asked the center a surprising question.

The 31-year-old Moulson, one of the most experienced and accomplished Sabres, asked Eichel if he wanted to live with his family during his rookie season.

Eichel hadn’t made any living arrangements yet, so he decided moving in with the Moulson clan – his ... Read the full article

Sabres to host prospects tournament in September

Jack Eichel’s first game action in a Buffalo uniform is just a month away. The Sabres will host a three-team “Prospects Challenge” tournament from Sept. 12-14 at the First Niagara Center and HarborCenter, the team announced today.

Eichel, the slick 18-year-old center the Sabres drafted second overall in June, will almost certainly participate in the round-robin challenge against prospects from the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. Each team plays two games.

Tickets are $10 ... Read the full article

Sabres hire Russ Brandon as president to replace Ted Black

BUFFALO – On Russ Brandon’s drive to the rink to discuss his new role as Sabres president and alternate governor, a job he was awarded Monday in addition to his gig as managing partner and president of the Buffalo Bills, he reflected back to a year ago, when the NFL club’s future here was shaky.

Back then, Brandon was focused on finding a viable owner for the Bills. Terry and Kim Pegula’s interest in the ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Brendan Guhle to entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed defenseman Brendan Guhle, the 51^st overall pick last month, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.

The 6-foot-1, 186-pound Guhle, the Sabres’ next pick after they drafted center Jack Eichel No. 2, will turn 18 years old Wednesday. The second-rounder had five goals, 32 points and 36 penalty minutes in 72 games last season with the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders.

Guhle will almost ... Read the full article

Sabres name Russ Brandon president, ‘part ways’ with Ted Black

BUFFALO – The Sabres today named Russ Brandon team president and announced former president Ted Black and the organization had “mutually agreed to part ways.”

Brandon, the managing partner and president of the Buffalo Bills, a team also owned by Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula, will oversee all aspects of the business operations for both teams and report directly to the Pegulas.

“Since we purchased the Buffalo Bills last October, we have been highly ... Read the full article

Josh Chapman unlikely standout at Sabres development camp

BUFFALO – The nifty winning goal in today’s three-on-three development camp tournament wasn’t scored by Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart or one of the Sabres’ other high-end forward prospects.

Try 6-foot-3, 210-pound Josh Chapman, an undrafted defenseman the Sabres invited.

“Someone asked him how many goals he scored this year,” said winger Evan Rodrigues, Chapman’s teammate in the eight-team tournament. “He said none.”

That’s right, Chapman scored zero goals in 44 games last season with ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel and Sabres prospects wowed by support from Buffalo fans

BUFFALO – The 17,115 Sabres fans who chose a hockey scrimmage – or, more appropriately, an opportunity to watch center Jack Eichel – over spending a beautiful Friday night in July outdoors probably don’t regret their decision.

For $10, they watched their newest star up close, saw center Sam Reinhart score twice and were treated to a five-on-five development camp exhibition with some unusual intensity.

“That was probably one of the most fun games of ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jack Eichel chooses No. 15; Andrew Allen hired as goalie coach

BUFFALO – Jack Eichel’s not thinking too far ahead. But “if the opportunity presented itself to make the team” next season, he plans to wear No. 15.

Of course, minutes after he mentioned his first NHL number Friday morning, the Sabres tweeted they would be a selling a limited number of Eichel jerseys hours later at the First Niagara Center prior to the development camp scrimmage.

Before the gates even opened, the line stretched from ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel will wear No. 15 for Sabres

BUFFALO – Your long wait is over, Sabres fans. Jack Eichel said this morning that “if the opportunity presented itself to make the team” next season, he would wear No. 15.

Of course, minutes after he mentioned the number, the Sabres tweeted a limited number of Eichel No. 15 jerseys will be available tonight at the First Niagara Center prior to the development camp scrimmage.

Eichel has been wearing No. 41 this week, a number ... Read the full article