Getting to know Jack Eichel

November 4, 2021, was a monumental day for the Vegas Golden Knights. That was when they acquired Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres along with a third-round draft pick. The outgoing package consisted of Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a 2022 first-round draft pick, and a 2023 second-round draft pick. The goal? Get a game-changing center who eluded the franchise since its inception. That way, Vegas could finish the story started in 2017.

Finish, they did! Eichel and the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023, vanquishing the Florida Panthers in five games. That led to numerous openings, such as being named a part of the United States for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. It wasn't always like this, though.

Before the Buffalo trade, Eichel was seen as whiny and a locker-room cancer. His dissatisfaction with being on the Sabres boiled over, which affected his play. He didn't want another rebuild, which was where Buffalo was leaning. He wanted a Stanley Cup and to compete for a title every season. Therefore, he requested a trade, where he could get the neck surgery he needed.

Now, he's the face of the Golden Knights and ready to lead the team into battle again in 2024-25. But there's more about the superstar than people realize. What are some fun facts to know about the Vegas center? Let's dive into some enriching tidbits and learn what makes the Massachusetts native special.

Getting to know Vegas Golden Knights superstar Jack Eichel

Vegas Golden Knights fans are familiar with the type of player Jack Eichel is. But he's also good friends with Noah Hanifin, with their friendship dating back to their childhoods. As mentioned, the two played against each other during their youth hockey days and in college (Eichel played for Boston University while Hanifin played for Boston College).

Speaking of Boston University, the superstar center won the Hobey Baker Award in 2015. Here, he led the nation in points (70), assists (44), power play points (23), and plus/minus (+51). The Terriers reached the Frozen Four during that season, where they lost to the Providence Friars in the championship game, 4-3.

Eichel has also given back to the Las Vegas community in numerous ways. First, he worked a shift at Raising Cane's to celebrate the Golden Knights's first Stanley Cup. He also hosted the 2024 Battle for Vegas softball competition, where the Golden Knights took on the Raiders. The charity event benefitted the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, with funds going to Best Buddies of Nevada.