Jack Eichel to make Vegas Golden Knights debut Wednesday

Jack Eichel will debut for the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday in a home game against the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced Monday.

«I always had the date circled for a while; I just had to go through all the protocols,» Eichel said. «I just feel like I'm back at that point where I'm ready to play. I just want to get back in there and get the confidence back in playing a game.»

Eichel, who was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres in November, has not played in an NHL game in nearly a year, last suiting up on March 7, 2021.

«I'm sure there will be a lot of emotions Wednesday — I'm already starting to feel them,» said Eichel, who noted it has been the longest layoff in his hockey career. «I'm just trying to be realistic with myself and my expectations. I haven't played in 11 months and no preseason games, and I'm jumping in against the best team in the league right now.»

Eichel, 25, underwent artificial disk replacement surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck on Nov. 12, a procedure that had never been done on an NHL player.

McCrimmon said that «there were a lot of people skeptical» about Eichel's surgery. «But in the medical world, things are changing all the time. He was the pioneer in terms of this particular surgery, and so far, it has turned out to be a real good one.»

At practice on Monday, Eichel was slotted on the first line alongside Max Pacioretty.

The Golden Knights took to Twitter to get fans ready for Eichel's debut.

Coming soon