He’s one heck of a consolation prize.

The Buffalo Sabres took Boston University centre Jack Eichel with the second-overall pick in Friday night’s 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Eichel, a native of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, was the 2015 Hobey Baker Award winner as a freshman for the terriers. His 26 goals and 45 assists in 40 games led all NCAA Division I scorers and the 18-year-old became only the second freshman to claim the trophy after Paul Kariya won the award with Maine in 1992-93.

Representing the United States at the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championship, Eichel had two goals and five assists in 10 games as the Americans claimed the bronze.

How soon Sabres fans might see Eichel is unknown as of yet. On Thursday, Eichel told TSN senior hockey reporter Frank Seravalli that he was unsure whether or not he was ready to turn pro yet.

Sabres general manager Tim Murray was busy on Friday, acquiring centre Ryan O'Reilly from the Colorado Avalanche just prior to the draft.