Jack Eichel is the basis of hope for hockey fans in Buffalo. He’s the next great American center, perhaps the best since Mike Modano. Any other year, and he likely would be the No. 1 pick in Friday’s NHL draft.

In case your focus was squarely on the NHL playoffs, here are nine things to know about the Massachusetts native expected to be the No. 2 overall pick behind Connor McDavid:

1. He honed his strength in the U.S. development program

Eichel was 15 years old when he showed up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to play for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.