Jack Eichel is one of the NHL’s young elite stars, and he’s hoping that the 2018-19 campaign can mark the first time his Buffalo Sabres aren’t quite as far down the standings. With the Sabres making moves and widely believed to be improving, not to mention the addition of #1 overall draft pick Rasmus Dahlin, it may be the year of new beginnings for Eichel.
It seems like he’s buying into the idea, as he revealed that he will be changing his number going into the new NHL season. Toss out you #15 Eichel threads, #9s are where it’s at now.
Jack Eichel used to wear #9 before coming to the show. At Boston University he was always #9, and apparently he wants to try for better luck with it now in the NHL. With so much happening in Buffalo this year, it will be interesting to see how the Sabres season plays out.
While his own attachment to the #9 jersey is likely what sparked the change, it also brought with it a historical coincidence. One other NHL player made the exact same change – from #15 to #9 – a long time ago, and he had himself a pretty legendary career as well. That man was goal scoring machine Maurice “Rocket” Richard.
The reason for Richard's number change was much more meaningful than going back to an old favourite. The Rocket switched over following the birth of his daughter, Huguette, who weighed nine pounds at birth.
If the Sabres end up tromping their way into playoffs, Illuminati confirmed, or what?
