Top '96 forward commits to BU

With its 2012 recruiting completed and 2013 nearly filled out, BU took an important step for the future, receiving a commitment from Jack Eichel, the top-ranked ’96 forward in New England and possibly the entire USA. Hockeyrecruits4u reported his commitment

A 6-1, 175 center from Chelmsford, Mass., who scored 39-47-86 in 36 games with seven game-winners for the Junior Bruins Empire league entry, Eichel will join BU’s 2014 recruit Jonathan MacLeod on next season’s NTDP U17 team in Ann Arbor. In his first season with the Junior Bruins, he had a 15-21-36 line.

The Amateur Hockey Report called him the “best player” at the NTDP tryout camp in March:

Dominated.  He's a complete player with powerful skating, a hard and accurate shot, and innate hockey sense.  Didn't even look like he was trying and he still dominated.  Always has his head up and he's just a natural hockey player who should develop into a complete prospect and a first-round NHL pick. AHR Rating: AAA

Last summer, he was, according to USHR, the best player at the USA Hockey Select 15 tournment.

Earlier this year, New England Hockey Journal reported that Eichel “uses his reach to create space. As he fills out, he will be able to create even more space to the dread of opponents, who already have to deal with his tremendous skating, puck and shooting skills.” 

 His  Jr. Bruins coach, Chris Masters, who has known Eichel since he was 8, told NEHJ about the high-scoring center’s skills:

“He’s a real special player with tons of talent. In the 10 or 12 years I’ve been coaching, I’m not sure there’s a player I’ve coached that’s as talented as he is. If he’s not the most talented, he’s certainly in that discussion.

“There’s a reason why he’s as good as he is and a big part of that is the time and effort he puts into it. He’s always been one of the best ’96s, but over the last several years he has continually distanced himself from his age group.

“His greatest asset is what he can do with the puck, whether he is setting plays up or finishing. He has a vicious release. His snap shot is really heavy. A couple coaches, when we’re shaking hands after a game, are talking about a shot he took. He’s a natural goal scorer, but he’s not a kid that’s going to have 40 goals and 10 assists. He’ll have 40 and 35.”