World Junior Championship: Eichel Named Captain of Team USA

Jack Eichel has been named the captain of the 2015 U.S. National Junior Team for the World Junior Championship. Head coach Mark Osiecki praised the Boston University freshman for his leadership ability following the conclusion of the team's week at Walter Brown Arena.

Eichel, considered a lock for a top two selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, leads the NCAA in scoring with eight goals and 19 assists in 16 games played. Eichel played last season as an underager and scored a goal and added four assists in five games.

Will Butcher and John Hayden were selected as alternate captains. Butcher, a Denver sophomore, is a Colorado Avalanche draft pick. He has two goals and six assists from the blue line in 15 games played. Hayden, a Chicago Blackhawks draft pick, leads Yale in scoring with three goals and seven assists in 10 games. Hayden is just six points away from equaling his freshman year point total for the entire season.

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on Twitter @JeffCoxSports.