Nico Hischier
Nico Hischier | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 4, 1999 Switzerland |
| Occupation | Professional ice hockey centre |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Known for | Captain of the New Jersey Devils in the NHL; first Swiss player selected first overall in the NHL draft |
Nico Hischier (born 4 January 1999) is a Swiss professional ice hockey centre currently serving as the captain of the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his professional career in Switzerland in 2015, competing in both the premier National League A (NLA) and the secondary National League B. For the 2016–17 season, Hischier transitioned to North America to join the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), aiming to further develop his skills. During his inaugural QMJHL campaign, he secured both the league's Rookie of the Year and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Rookie of the Year distinctions. On the international stage, Hischier has represented Switzerland at various junior competitions, including appearances at two World Junior Championships. Recognized as a highly skilled two-way forward and a leading prospect for the 2017 NHL entry draft, he was chosen first overall by the Devils—the first Swiss athlete to earn that distinction—and made his NHL debut that same year. He was appointed captain of New Jersey in 2021.
Switzerland and major junior
Hischier participated in the 2011 and 2012 editions of the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament representing a youth squad from Zürich. His early development took place within the EHC Visp organization before relocating at age 15 from his home region of Valais to Bern, where he joined SC Bern to compete at elevated levels alongside his brother Luca. He commenced the 2015–16 season with EHC Visp in National League B but was promoted to SC Bern’s senior team due to injury absences, appearing in 15 games together with his brother.
After being picked sixth overall by the Halifax Mooseheads in the 2016 CHL Import Draft, Hischier committed to Halifax following consultations with team management and fellow Swiss alumnus Timo Meier. In his rookie QMJHL season, he placed second on his team and tenth across the league with 38 goals and 86 points, leading all first-year players in both categories. His accolades included receiving the RDS Cup as QMJHL Rookie of the Year, capturing the Michael Bossy Trophy as top professional prospect, and earning a spot on the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team. Additionally, he was honored as CHL Rookie of the Year. During playoffs, he led Halifax with seven points over six games.
Approaching the 2017 NHL entry draft, Hischier was widely regarded as a top-two selection alongside Nolan Patrick. NHL Central Scouting ranked him second among North American skaters, highlighting his offensive capabilities, hockey IQ, two-way effectiveness, and skating prowess.
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils selected Nico Hischier first overall in the 2017 NHL entry draft, marking a historic moment as he became the first Swiss player ever chosen at that position. He secured a three-year entry-level contract on 15 July 2017. After topping preseason scoring charts for New Jersey, Hischier earned a spot on the opening-night roster and debuted on 7 October against the Colorado Avalanche. He notched his initial point two days later and scored his first two goals ten days after that milestone. Concluding his rookie year as New Jersey’s second-leading scorer with 52 points, he played a pivotal role in guiding the team to their first playoff appearance since 2012. Despite sustaining a hand injury that prevented participation in the 2018 IIHF World Championship, Hischier remained an essential contributor.
During the 2018–19 campaign, Hischier accumulated 47 points across 69 games and led his team in advanced statistical categories amid an otherwise disappointing season that left New Jersey outside playoff contention.
Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Hischier took part in a Swiss national team prospects camp but suffered an upper-body injury in October. Shortly thereafter, he agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $50.75 million, solidifying his long-term presence despite restricted free agency status. The Devils continued to face challenges, trading away linemate Taylor Hall and missing out on postseason play when the season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hischier contributed 14 goals and totaled 36 points over 58 games.
Hischier missed the beginning of the 2020–21 season owing to a leg injury but returned on 20 February 2021 when he was named New Jersey’s 12th captain—the youngest player ever appointed captain in NHL history. After five contests, he suffered a broken nose from an accidental hit requiring surgery, sidelining him for 24 games. Despite limited ice time, he recorded six goals and five assists; however, New Jersey again failed to qualify for playoffs.
In the 2022–23 season, Hischier reached personal bests with 31 goals, 49 assists, and an overall total of 80 points—ranking second on his team behind Jack Hughes. His defensive acumen earned him a nomination for the esteemed Frank J. Selke Trophy.
On 27 October 2023, Hischier sustained an upper-body injury following a head check delivered by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton, who received a two-game suspension for the incident. Later, on 25 November 2024, Hischier achieved his first NHL natural hat trick during a 5–2 victory over the Nashville Predators.
International competition
Hischier made his international debut at the 2015 World U18 Championships, where he scored one goal and helped Switzerland achieve a fourth-place finish. During the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, he accumulated six points across four matches. At the 2016 World U18 Championships, he contributed four points as Switzerland ended up in eighth position.
At the 2016 World Junior Championships, Hischier was not only Switzerland's youngest participant but also the second-youngest player overall. In the 2017 World Juniors, he topped the scoring charts among NHL draft-eligible players with seven points in five games. Additionally, at the 2017 World U18 Championships, he tallied six points over five games, guiding Switzerland to the quarterfinals.
Hischier was named to Switzerland's senior squad for the 2019 World Championship, where he posted one goal and two assists in a dominant 9–0 victory against Italy, finishing with nine points in eight contests.
He earned a silver medal at the 2024 World Championship. Serving as captain during the 2025 World Championship, Hischier sustained an injury in the group stage match versus Germany, forcing him to miss the rest of the tournament. Switzerland ultimately secured another silver medal.
Playing style
Hischier is recognized as a versatile player with strengths on both ends of the ice, frequently likened to former NHL two-way forward Pavel Datsyuk. He emulates Datsyuk’s playing approach and dons the same jersey number 13. After selecting Hischier first overall in the draft, Devils general manager Ray Shero emphasized his speed and defensive dedication as crucial attributes that aligned with the team’s requirements. Head coach John Hynes commended Hischier’s competitiveness for puck possession, velocity, skill set, and hockey intelligence as indicators of his readiness for NHL competition.
Personal background
Originating from an athletic household, Hischier’s father Rino played football for FC Naters while his mother Katja worked as a physical education instructor. The youngest among three siblings, his brother Luca competes for Genève-Servette HC in Switzerland’s National League, and his sister Nina participated in high-level Swiss volleyball. With no ice rinks available in Naters, their mother took them to nearby Visp to learn skating, where they first encountered hockey. Hischier played football until age 12 before dedicating himself exclusively to hockey. He is also a passionate fan of Premier League club Manchester City F.C.
After completing the 2018–19 NHL season, Hischier began his mandatory civic military service in Switzerland.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2014–15 | Bern U20 | Elite Jr. A | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16 | Bern U20 | Elite Jr. A | 18 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16 | SC Bern | NLA | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | EHC Visp | NLB | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 2016–17 | Halifax Mooseheads | QMJHL | 57 | 38 | 48 | 86 | 24 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 | 20 | 32 | 52 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 69 | 17 | 30 | 47 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 58 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 21 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 70 | 21 | 39 | 60 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 81 | 31 | 49 | 80 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 2 | ||
| 2023–24 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 71 | 27 | 40 | 67 | 12 | |||||||
| 2024–25 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 75 | 35 | 34 | 69 | 20 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 527 | 171 | 251 | 422 | 125 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 2 | ||||
International
|""2024" |"Switzerland"|WC|"" |"10" |"6" |"5" |"11" |"2"| Year | Team | Tournament | Placement | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Switzerland | U18 | 4th place | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Switzerland | IH18 | 7th place | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Switzerland | WJC | 9th place | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Switzerland | U18 | 8th place | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Switzerland | IH18 | 8th place | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Switzerland | WJC | 7th place | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Switzerland | U18 | 8th place | 5 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Switzerland | WC | 8th place | 8 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Switzerland | WC | 6th place | 8 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Switzerland | WC | 5th place | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Switzerland | WC | >5th place | >4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ""2025"|Switzerland WC 4th 2 1 3 0 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Junior career totals !32 | 11 | 17 | 28 | - bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Senior career totals !42 | 18 | 20 | 40 |
} Awards and honors
External links | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1999 births
- Living people
- EHC Visp players
- Halifax Mooseheads players
- First overall NHL draft picks
- NHL first-round draft picks
- New Jersey Devils draft picks
- New Jersey Devils players
- Sportspeople from Brig-Glis
- People from Naters
- SC Bern players
- Ice hockey people from Valais
- Swiss expatriate ice hockey players in Canada
- Swiss expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
- Swiss ice hockey centres