FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The hoopla is finally in Jack Eichel’s rearview mirror. He’s done throwing baseballs, scoring on 8-year-olds, avoiding alligators and facing a barrage of cameras.
Until the Buffalo Sabres call his name with the second overall pick Friday night in the NHL Draft, Eichel is just going to be an 18-year-old hanging out with his family. They’ll walk the beach in Florida and reflect on the long journey they’ve made together.
“I’m really looking forward to just winding down and just spending time with them because it means a lot that all my friends and family would come down here and support me,” said Eichel, who has a group of about 30 surrounding him.