9 has always been a part of my identity as both a player and a person,” Eichel said. “The opportunity opened to switch, and I felt it was the right time to make the change.” … Eichel teased the number switch on his Instagram story Friday, covering the number with an emoji and creating intrigue across social media.

Did Jack Eichel change numbers?

During the summer before the 2018–19 season, Eichel changed his jersey number from 15 to 9, the same number he wore at Boston University. On October 3, 2018, before the beginning of the regular season, Eichel was named the captain of the Sabres.

Is Jack Eichel injured?

Buffalo announced Eichel’s neck injury would force him to miss the rest of the 2020-21 season but maintained he’d be ready to return by the 2021-22 campaign. Eichel ended the year with a career-low 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) over 21 games.