![BU coach: 'I'll drive [Eichel] to Buffalo myself'](https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2020/02/1294/728/3001c6c8-042215-NHL-Boston-University-Terriers-David-Quinn-PI-JE.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
BU coach: 'I'll drive [Eichel] to Buffalo myself'
Boston University coach David Quinn refuted reports claiming Quinn thinks NHL Draft prospect Jack Eichel should return to college next year, as Quinn joined Buffalo's Howard Simon Show to unequivocally state his belief that Eichel is NHL-ready.
"I'll drive him to Buffalo myself, because he certainly can play in the NHL next year," Quinn told the radio show.
Quinn praised Eichel's improvement over the season on faceoffs and on defense. The coach also gave a great scouting report on the star freshman, saying Eichel's power in his skating strides is incomparable and he is both "weight-room strong and hockey strong." Quinn also noted that Eichel is incredibly committed to working out off the ice to become the best hockey player he can be.
"His idea of a good time is showing up to the rink at 7:30, 8 in the morning and shooting a couple hundred pucks," Quinn said. "Probably like most 19-year-olds, consistency is a problem for him. There are going to be nights that, if he does decide to play in the NHL next year, that he's going to be a really good player and then he's going to struggle for two or three weeks. That just happens. It's a man's league and it's very difficult for a 19-year-old to go up there and have a lot of success. But if anybody could do it, Jack certainly is the type of a guy that could do it."
Quinn said members of the BU community who coached and played in the NHL will all talk to Eichel to help him make the decision between BU and the NHL, but Quinn said he has not had a lengthy, serious conversation with Eichel about leaving yet.
Listen to the complete segment with Quinn below:
