Sabres rookie Jack Eichel moved in with Matt Moulson and family
Top rookie Jack Eichel will have a new place to call home for his first year in the NHL: Teammate Matt Moulson's home, that is.
By
Chris Peters
•
2 min read
Jack Eichel has had an interesting few years leading up to what will be his highly-anticipated rookie season with the Buffalo Sabres. As the new crowned-jewel of the Sabres’ rebuild, he could probably afford some stability as he begins to plant roots within the city that hopes he can fulfill his lofty potential.
Eichel spent the two years preceding his draft-eligible season with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. Then it was off to Boston University, not far where he grew up (North Chelmsford, Mass.), for a brief stint in college. Now he’ll be making a lot of money at 19 years of age in a new city with the weight of an entire hockey community resting on his shoulders.
That’s a lot to take in for a young fellow like Eichel. So to help ease the transition, he’ll be following a path similar to that of high-end rookies before him by living with an older teammate and his family.
Sabres forward Matt Moulson was the one to offer up his home to the No. 2 overall pick in 2015.
Eichel explained to NHL.com how this came about:
He had approached me about it. He texted me after the draft, along with a group of other players, and congratulated me. Later he offered it up, if I wanted to stay with him and his family I was more than welcome to during the year. I thought it would be a good fit. I heard a lot of good things about him as a person, and getting to know him I think it worked out. It's a really nice house, and he's got a great family.
Living with a teammate is a well-trodden path for rookie sensations, but Moulson doesn’t fit the typical mold of those veterans that have gone before him in shepherding a young teammate through his rookie year.
Sidney Crosby spent his rookie season and a few years beyond living with owner and brief teammate Mario Lemieux. Just last year, Calder Trophy winner Aaron Ekblad moved in with Florida Panthers captain Willie Mitchell and his family. Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler started his career by living with freshly-retired would-be Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer.
All of those players were much older than the 31-year-old Moulson, who would be closer to an older-brother figure for his young teammate. However, Moulson has also had some relatable experience on the ice that could give him unique insight into what Eichel is going through.
Moulson had the best years of his career playing with the New York Islanders alongside young phenom John Tavares. Moulson had a front-row seat to Tavares’ ascent to becoming one of the best players in the NHL and now could have a similar experience with his 19-year-old Sabres teammate, if all goes as planned.
A lot is riding on Eichel's success in Buffalo. Making it a little bit easier to make the jump to the pros off the ice could go a long way on the ice.
