In the 2002 National Hockey League draft Eager was selected in the first round (23rd Overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes. His professional career included winning the American Hockey League Calder Cup with the Philadelphia Phantoms during the 2004 NHL lockout. At the Philadelphia Flyers, Eager won the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial award, and on the Chicago Blackhawks, Eager scored the game winning playoff goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. In 2010,  Eager and the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup defeating the Flyers 4–3 in overtime in Game 6.   Eager's NHL career spanned five NHL teams: Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers. In November 2016, Eager was named to the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni team to play in the annual NHL Winter Classic.

 

Eager has experienced all levels of hockey on the road to the NHL, from his earliest days in Canadian club hockey, to CJHL and OHL Junior teams, to AHL teams, and his subsequent NHL career. His expertise is invaluable to players seeking the next level of  development to maximize their potential on the ice. Whether a player’s goals are to make the local high school team, a AA or AAA club, a Junior team, or prepare for a college opportunity, Eager has key experience and critical skills to offer a young player willing to work hard. Eager also enjoys teaching the fundamentals of hockey to the youngest age groups, introducing hockey skills and strengthening youngest players confidence to embrace the sport of hockey.