E-Edition
Sign up for email newsletters
Sign up for email newsletters
E-Edition
He had an American flag draped around his shoulders. An Olympic gold medal around his neck. And lots of emotion running through his body.
During a three-minute interview after Team USA defeated Canada, 2-1, in overtime on Sunday morning in Milan, Italy, Jack Eichel fought back tears on multiple occasions while taking to a reporter.
“It’s hard to put into words,” he said, getting choked up while being interviewed by Canadian sports broadcaster Jackie Redmond. “It’s crazy. I’m just really proud. It just means a lot, you know?”
Redmond mentioned when Eichel’s career was in jeopardy when he underwent artificial disc replacement surgery on his neck in November 2021 to repair a herniated disc, leading to his trade from Buffalo to Vegas.
“Just stick with it. There’s so many good people behind me that have helped me. It just means the world to be here, you know?” his voice cracking. “It’s tough to get it out right now. That group of guys is so unselfish. Sorry I’m so emotional. We’ll be able to have this forever. It means a lot. I’m so proud of that group. My family I think of and all the people who have helped me. I’m just really proud.”
The North Chelmsford native averaged a point a game at his first Winter Olympics, collecting two goals and four assists in six games. Former UMass Lowell goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was named the tournament’s Best Goaltender after stopping 41 of 42 shots, including a handful of dangerous bids from the high-powered Canadians.
Redmond asked Eichel about Hellebuyck’s play.
“He was the best player on the ice and it was incredible to watch. He put on a master class tonight. He saved his best game for the last one. We’re not here if it wasn’t for him and for how great he played. Unbelievable job by Helly and I can’t say enough good things about him. He was incredible,” he said.
Eichel captured the Stanley Cup with Vegas after leading the playoffs in scoring in 2023. When he brought the Stanley Cup to Skate 3 in Tyngsboro, more than 3,000 fans waited in long lines for the chance to talk to Eichel and have their picture taken with him.
Winning an Olympic gold medal clearly meant a lot to the 29-year-old.
Eichel centered Team USA’s top line between the Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady.
During the run toward the gold medal, after a win over Germany, Matthew Tkachuk was asked about playing on a line with his brother.
“It’s important for us to set the tone. It helps a lot that we’re playing with Eichs,” he said with a slight chuckle. “He’s an absolutely incredible player. Very lucky to be playing with him. Very lucky to be playing with anybody, but he’s as complete as player and a top whatever player in the (National Hockey League).”
Eichel is on pace to surpass 100 points for the Golden Knights this season. He grew up skating on area ponds and still skates during the offseason at Skate 3. He attended Chelmsford High as a freshman before moving to Ann Arbor, Mich., to join the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
Copyright 2026 Lowell Sun. All rights reserved. The use of any content on this website for the purpose of training artificial intelligence systems, algorithms, machine learning models, text and data mining, or similar use is strictly prohibited without explicit written consent.