Eichel needs 'a little break,' to skip World Championship

It's been a long year for Jack Eichel.

Over the past 12 months, he's gone from the NCAA Frozen Four Final to the 2015 IIHF World Championship to the NHL Entry Draft, then through the rigors of his first NHL training camp and his first 81 regular-season pro games.

So as the Buffalo Sabres forward wrapped up his rookie season with exit meetings Sunday, he said he won't be representing the United States at the 2016 World Championship.

"I think it’s time for me to take a little break and unwind a little bit here, kind of take a deep breath for the first time in a while," Eichel told reporters.

"It’s important mentally, physically, emotionally to take some time, be with your family, collect yourself, put the hockey bag away, stay out of the gym. Just relax a little bit, rejuvenate your mind, rejuvenate your body and prepare for your offseason training the right way where you can get the maximum results to help you come back next season feeling better than ever and hopefully take that next step."

Eichel will, however, resume play prior to next season's training camp as a feature member of Team North America at the World Cup.

The 19-year-old recorded 24 goals and 32 assists with 238 shots as a rookie.