Sabres C Jack Eichel, the No. 2 overall pick in the '15 NHL Draft, will "be wearing Bauer from the top of his helmet to the toe of his skate" this season as part of an endorsement deal announced Thursday, according to Keith McShea of the BUFFALO NEWS. Eichel said that he has "worn Bauer skates for his entire hockey career and that signing with the company was something he always considered." Eichel: "I always had it in the back of my mind to be part of the Bauer team and now it’s great that I’m able to finally become a part of it." McShea notes Eichel will make an appearance Saturday "for the opening of the company’s new store in Burlington, Mass., which is 15 miles from Eichel’s hometown of North Chelmsford, Mass." However, he said that the store "didn't have an impact on his signing with Bauer" (BUFFALO NEWS, 8/14). As part of the deal, Bauer will "supply Eichel with its line of clothes." Oilers C Connor McDavid, the No. 1 overall pick in Eichel's draft class, signed with Bauer's rival, CCM Hockey, in June (AP, 8/13). THE HOCKEY NEWS' Jared Clinton noted while the financials of the deal between Bauer and Eichel "have not been released," it was believed the deal between CCM and McDavid "was worth somewhere" in the $1M range annually. If Eichel "got near that amount, the two players will likely be 1-2 in yet another category: sponsorship dollars for an NHL rookie" (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 8/13).
