Weighart: Hobey's Youngest Winner

BOSTON - Boston University has its third Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner as Jack Eichel became just the second freshman to take home the honor in its 35-year history on Friday evening in a ceremony at Northeastern's Matthews Arena.

Eichel joins Matt Gilroy (2009) and Chris Drury (1998) as Terriers who have won the award, which is given annually to college hockey's top player. Maine's Paul Kariya (1993) was the only prior freshman recipient. In addition, Eichel was named Friday as the winner of the Tim Taylor Award, given to the nation's top rookie.

Eichel has made an impressive impact on college hockey as an 18-year-old, leading the nation in points with 70 on 26 goals and 44 assists while leading the Terriers to a spot in the NCAA title game.

The North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, native has collected a handful of top accolades during his rookie campaign. After becoming just the third player to be named Hockey East Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season, he went on to claim Hockey East Tournament MVP honors after helping BU earn the league regular-season and tournament titles. Earlier this week, he was tabbed New England MVP.

Eichel also leads the nation in assists (44), power play points (23) and plus/minus (+51). He broke the BU record for points by a freshman (65) and his 70 points are the most by any Terrier since Shawn McEachern put up 82 in the 1990-91 season.

In addition to his on-ice accomplishments, Eichel mentors local youth who have overcome or are dealing with cancer, including Gigde, a 10-year-old who is a two-time brain cancer survivor.

Eichel becomes the second consecutive Hockey East player to win the award following Boston College's Johnny Gaudreau last year. He is the ninth Hockey East representative to win college hockey's top honor. This season he became the first Hockey East player in 16 years to average two points per game in league play (44 in 22 games).

The captain of the 2015 U.S. National Junior Team, Eichel is considered one of the top 18-year-old prospects in the world and is expected to be a top-two pick in this summer's NHL Entry Draft.

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award, named for the legendary Princeton hockey player who was known as America's greatest amateur athlete of his era, died testing a repaired aircraft at the end of World War I. Hobey criteria includes strength of character on and off the ice, displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements. Eichel was selected from a group of 10 finalists by the votes of a 27-member selection committee, along with the results of an online fan ballot.

The Terriers will face fellow Hockey East member Providence for the national championship on Saturday (April 11) at TD Garden. Eichel will try to become just the seventh player -- and second Terrier (Gilroy) -- to receive the Hobey Baker Award and win the national title in the same season.