Eichel reflects how Team North America came together at World Cup

When Jack Eichel first heard the idea of Team North America, what did he think?

"I didn't know how it was going to work," the Buffalo Sabres center said during a video call reunion of Team North America last week that premieres Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, on Sportsnet and 7 p.m. ET, on NHL.com and the NHL Facebook, IGTV and YouTube platforms.

The NHL and the NHL Players' Association created a new team for the World Cup of Hockey 2016 in Toronto. It would be comprised of players 23 and under from Canada and the United States and compete against national teams full of established stars.

"I think most of the guys who were going to be on the team are so used to representing their country, and there's a lot of pride that goes with that," said Eichel, who grew up in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, played two seasons in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and previously represented the United States in several tournaments.

"So I think when you're not really representing your country, it makes it a little bit more difficult. But I think as soon as that first night got over, I think we came together pretty good."

The 12 Americans and 11 Canadians became the darlings of the World Cup because of their speed and skill -- not to mention their cutting-edge orange, gray and black uniforms -- even though they didn't advance past the group stage. They defeated Team Finland 4-1, lost to Team Russia 4-3 and defeated Team Sweden 4-3 in overtime.

Their lasting impression was so great that six of them -- Eichel, Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray, Carolina Hurricanes forward Vincent Trocheck and New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba -- gathered for a virtual reunion.

"That first night we were all together in Montreal, it was kind of split down the middle," Eichel said. "The Americans were on one side of the place and the Canadians were on the other, and then I think as the tournament wore on, we started to get a lot closer, and that all went out the window."