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McDavid, Eichel to make highly anticipated debuts Thursday

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

For Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, the future is now.

The top two picks in June's NHL draft will make their respective regular-season debuts Thursday night, a fact that is finally sinking in with the exceptionally talented pair of prospects.

"When I woke up this morning, I guess that's kind of when it hit me that I'll be playing in my first NHL game." McDavid told ESPN's Craig Custance.

The first overall selection has been looking forward to making his NHL debut for years.

"It's something that you dream of for so long," McDavid told NHL.com's Derek Van Diest earlier this week.

"The draft is one thing, but to finally be in this situation is another, so I'm really excited. It's been a long road; it's been a lot of hard work. I think a lot of guys' stories are different in how they get here, but the one common theme is hard work and my story is not any different that way.

"I put in a lot of hours to be here and I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to it for my family and for them to enjoy it. I know my dad and mom are going to be very proud and it's going to be a great experience."

The Edmonton Oilers forward will be in the lineup for the season opener against the St. Louis Blues, while the Buffalo Sabres' Eichel, the second overall pick, will play against the Ottawa Senators.

"I'm really excited about it," Eichel told NHL.com's Joe Yerdon.

"I have a lot of family and friends coming in so it's going to be a special moment for me. It's something I've dreamed of my whole life; stepping foot on that ice and making the NHL.

"I'm trying to soak it all in right now with everything that's going on in my life. I think it's all happened really quickly, but I'm trying to soak it all in. It's kind of been a whirlwind, but you're finally playing hockey for a living and everything you've done your whole life is to get to this point. It's pretty special."

McDavid has already been labeled a generational talent, and Eichel has also garnered his share of hype. McDavid notched five points in five preseason games, while Eichel ranked fifth in NHL preseason scoring with two goals and four assists in six exhibition contests.

For the dynamic duo atop the 2015 draft class, their respective NHL journeys officially begin Thursday night.

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