The 10 finalists for this year’s Hobey Baker Memorial Award were announced today and, nobody is at all surprised, that Boston University’s Jack Eichel was among the nominees.
We all know Eichel is a special player. Its easy for even the most casual fan to see when he is on the ice. But people should look beyond who he is today, and remember his “small time” beginnings that will lead him to the “big time”.
Many who claim to be scouts or experts fail to mention that Jack Eichel started on his journey playing Tier III hockey in the old Empire Junior Hockey League. He was dominating of course, but in a limited call up to the old Eastern Junior Hockey League, he was only average.
The talent has been obvious, and his Empire league performance is what lead to his National Development Team selection in 2012. Yes, it was just three years ago that Jack Eichel was playing Tier III junior hockey. Today he is primed to be one of the NHL’s top picks in the entry draft.
How quickly things can become larger than life for a talented player who is willing to put in the work!
The value of Tier III junior hockey is often understated by many. Obviously not all programs are created equal, but some clearly know what to do, and how to handle a players development.
Though mass expansion of Tier III has in many cases watered down the on ice product, there are those teams that can and do develop and promote players to the highest levels of the game. Maybe, this spring, someone will find that Tier III player who makes the jump, puts in the work, and has everyone talking in 2018.
Joseph Kolodziej – Publisher
