Sabres' Eichel will not attend U.S. junior camp

Jack Eichel, who was selected No. 2 in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, will not attend United States National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., from Aug. 1-8.

Eichel was one of 11 players invited to camp who represented the U.S. at the 2015 WJC in Montreal and Toronto. Eichel had one goal and four points in five games as captain of the team, which lost to Russia in the quarterfinals. He signed an entry-level contract with the Sabres on July 1.

"I think in the end we're looking at the best interest of the player and I'm sure Jack has a lot going on with Buffalo in terms of development camp and preparing for the NHL season," U.S. national junior team general manager Jim Johannson told NHL.com. "We're also realistically looking ahead, for our team. The odds are we probably wouldn't have him even if he were invited. I think it just makes a lot of sense for all of us for him not to be in Lake Placid this summer.

"We obviously wish Jack the best of luck."

Johannson said that all other NHL-signed players invited to camp are expected to be present, including defenseman Noah Hanifin (Carolina Hurricanes) and center Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings).

The camp will be held at Lake Placid Olympic Training Center, and games and practices will be at Lake Placid Olympic Center's 1980 Herb Brooks Arena. U.S. coach Ron Wilson and assistants Chris Chelios, Danton Cole and Kevin Reiter will have their team practice with and scrimmage against Finland and Sweden.

Invited to camp are 22 forwards, 13 defensemen and four goalies.

2015 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp

Goaltenders: Brandon Halverson, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL (New York Rangers); Kris Oldham, Omaha, USHL (Tampa Bay Lightning); Luke Opilka, USNTDP, USHL, (St. Louis Blues); Evan Sarthou, Tri-City, WHL (2016 draft eligible).

Defense: Louie Belpedio, Miami University, NCHC (Minnesota Wild); Brandon Carlo, Tri-City, WHL (Boston Bruins); Ryan Collins, University of Minnesota, Big 10 (Columbus Blue Jackets); Jack Dougherty, University of Wisconsin, Big 10 (Nashville Predators); Brandon Fortunato, Boston University, HEA (2016 eligible); Noah Hanifin, Carolina Hurricanes; Josh Jacobs, Michigan State University, Big 10 (New Jersey Devils); Caleb Jones, USNTDP, USHL (Edmonton Oilers); Chad Krys, USNTDP, USHL (2016 eligible); Johnathon Macleod, Boston University, HEA (Tampa Bay Lightning); Charlie McAvoy, USNTDP, USHL (2016 eligible); Jake Walman, Providence College, HEA (St. Louis Blues); Zach Werenski, University of Michigan, Big 10 (Columbus Blue Jackets).

Forwards: Paul Bittner, Portland, WHL (Columbus Blue Jackets); Anders Bjork, University of Notre Dame, HEA (Boston Bruins); Brock Boeser, Waterloo, USHL (Vancouver Canucks); Jeremy Bracco, USNTDP, USHL (Toronto Maple Leafs); Kyle Connor, Youngstown, USHL (Winnipeg Jets); Christian Dvorak, London, OHL (Arizona Coyotes); Scott Eansor, Seattle, WHL (2016 eligible); Ryan Hitchcock, Yale University, ECAC (2016 eligible); Christian Fischer, USNTDP, USHL (Arizona Coyotes); Erik Foley, Cedar Rapids, USHL (Winnipeg Jets); Conor Garland, Moncton, QMJHL (Arizona Coyotes); Jordan Greenway, USNTDP, USHL (Minnesota Wild); Dylan Larkin, Grand Rapids, AHL (Detroit Red Wings); Ryan MacInnis, Kitchener, OHL (Arizona Coyotes); Auston Matthews, USNTDP, USHL (2016 eligible); Sonny Milano, Plymouth, OHL (Columbus Blue Jackets); Jack Roslovic, USNTDP, USHL (Winnipeg Jets); Nick Schmaltz, University of North Dakota, NCHC (Chicago Blackhawks); Matthew Tkachuk, USNTDP, USHL (2016 eligible); Alex Tuch, Boston College, HEA (Minnesota Wild); Dominic Turgeon, Portland, WHL (Detroit Red Wings); Colin White, USNTDP, USHL (Ottawa Senators).

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