Eichel honored to represent Sabres at All-Star Game

BUFFALO -- Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel can add playing in the NHL All-Star Game to his growing resume.
Eichel will represent the Sabres for the first time when he competes in the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Jan. 28 (3:30 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, SN, TVA Sports). He was named to the Atlantic Division roster Wednesday.

"It's something that you grow up watching, and with just some of the people that will be there and their names and players that I grew up watching and idolizing, that it's just a huge honor," Eichel said. "I'm very fortunate to be able to represent the Sabres."
Eichel, chosen by the Sabres with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, had a solid rookie season with 56 points (24 goals, 32 assists). He had 57 points (24 goals, 33 assists) last season despite missing 21 games with a high ankle sprain sustained at practice one day before the season-opener.
RELATED: [Bogosian out 4-6 weeks for Sabres | Complete All-Star Game coverage]
This season, Eichel leads the Sabres with 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in 41 games. He has 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in his past 11 games.
"I think earlier in the year maybe I wasn't getting breaks or finishing my shots or capitalizing on opportunities," Eichel said. "Statistically it wasn't showing, but I was trying to work shift in and shift out."
Eichel is a big fan of the 3-on-3 format that started with the 2016 game in Nashville.
"I think it's exciting, I think it brings a lot more energy to the event and you have something on the line, something to play for," Eichel said. "Just watching it the last few years it seems like the guys really enjoy the 3-on-3 and it gets pretty serious. I guess guys play pretty hard so I think people are more inclined to watch it if there's something on the line and there's a bit more competition. I think it's a great format."

The NHL All-Star Skills Competition takes place Jan. 27 (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVA Sports). Eichel said he'd be happy to participate in any of the events, but some from previous years might not be his best fit.
"Probably not the hardest shot, I don't take a lot of slap shots," Eichel said. "I feel like [fastest skater] you've got to exert a lot more energy than the other ones, might have to warm up a little bit for it, too. I'd be more than happy to do anything."

Even though the All-Star Game is filled with the League's best players, Eichel said he won't be too star-struck playing with and against those he watched perform in previous events. He will be excited to be there with one of his best friends, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Noah Hanifin.
"I'm happy to see him having such a good year, it's awesome," Eichel said. "We grew up pretty close together. We train together in the summer, and skate and hang out a lot, so we're pretty tight. I'll be really cool to have him down there."