Sabres' Eichel vows to continually grow and earn captaincy

Jack Eichel never got a chance to finish cooking his dinner.

On Tuesday night Eichel's phone rang while he was cooking at his house, with Buffalo Sabres head coach Phil Housley on the line. The Sabres bench boss asked Eichel to come to the rink.

The moment when Phil Housley named Jack Eichel the captain of the Buffalo Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/xuYzbzVUoz

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) October 3, 2018

When Eichel arrived to KeyBank Center he was greeted by Housley, Sabres GM Jason Botterill and owner Terry Pegula. Moments later they shared the news -- the 21-year-old center was selected to be the 19th full-time captain in franchise history. 

Jack Eichel, the newest captain of the Buffalo Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/nxwyPmA07F

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) October 3, 2018

"It was a really humbling moment and I’m just so honored obviously that you know I’m in the conversation," Eichel said Wednesday morning. "First of all, to be a leader in this group and to be the captain, it’s an incredible honor. "

"I think it’s exciting, not only for me, our players, our coaching staff but our city," Housley said after practice. "I think he represents everything we want as far as our organization goes.” 

The team also named defenseman Zach Bogosian and forward Kyle Okposo alternate captains.  

"I’m just excited about the opportunity and really humbled and honored," Eichel added. 

To watch the full interviews with Eichel and Housley from Wednesday, head to the top of the page! 

Jack Eichel got emotional when I asked him who he told first when he found out he was the newest captain of the Buffalo #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/zhPz5LUbMn

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) October 3, 2018

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