Nico Hischier facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nico Hischier
Hischier at the 2017 NHL entry draft
Born	(1999-01-04) 4 January 1999 (age 26) Brig, Switzerland
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	New Jersey Devils SC Bern
National team	Switzerland
NHL Draft	1st overall, 2017 New Jersey Devils
Playing career	2015–present

Nico Hischier (born 4 January 1999) is a Swiss professional ice hockey player. He plays as a centre and is the captain for the New Jersey Devils. This team is part of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Nico started his professional hockey career in Switzerland in 2015. He played in both the top league (NLA) and the second league (NLB). In 2016, he moved to North America to play for the Halifax Mooseheads. This team is in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In his first season there, he was named the best rookie. He also won the award for the best rookie in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The CHL is in charge of major junior hockey in Canada.

Nico has also played for Switzerland in many junior tournaments. This includes two World Junior Championships. He was seen as a top player for the 2017 NHL entry draft. The Devils picked him first overall in 2017. This was the first time a Swiss player was chosen first in the NHL draft. He joined the NHL in 2017 and became the Devils' captain in 2021.

Nico's Hockey Journey

Starting in Switzerland

Nico Hischier started playing hockey at a young age. He played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 2011 and 2012. He grew up playing for the EHC Visp team. When he was 15, he moved from his home area of Valais to Bern. He joined SC Bern, just like his older brother Luca had done. This allowed Nico to play in the top Swiss leagues for young players.

In the 2015–16 season, he started with EHC Visp. This team was connected to SC Bern. Because some players in Bern were hurt, Nico joined the main team on November 13, 2015. He even played with his brother. Nico played 15 games with Bern that season. He spent most of his time with Visp.

Playing in Canada

The Halifax Mooseheads picked Nico in the 2016 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft. This draft is for players from other countries. After talking with the team and a former Swiss player, Nico decided to join Halifax.

In his first season with the Mooseheads, Nico was a top scorer. He had 38 goals and 86 points. He was the best rookie in the QMJHL for both goals and points. He won the RDS Cup as the QMJHL Rookie of the Year. He also won the Michael Bossy Trophy as the best player likely to become a professional. He was named to the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team. He also won the rookie of the year award for the entire CHL. In the playoffs, he led Halifax in scoring with seven points.

Before the 2017 NHL entry draft, Nico was considered a top player. Many thought he could be picked first overall. He was known for his great offensive skills and understanding of the game. He was also good at playing both offense and defense. His skating skills were also highly praised.

Joining the New Jersey Devils

Hischier scoring a game-winning goal against the Washington Capitals in January 2022

The New Jersey Devils picked Nico Hischier first overall in the 2017 NHL entry draft. This was a big moment, as he was the first Swiss player ever to be drafted first. He signed a three-year contract with the Devils on July 15, 2017.

Nico played very well in training camp. He led the Devils in scoring during the preseason. He made the team's main roster for opening day. His first NHL game was on October 7 against the Colorado Avalanche. He got his first point, an assist, on October 9. Ten days later, he scored his first two goals against the Ottawa Senators.

Nico finished his first season as the Devils' second-best scorer. He had 52 points, including 20 goals and 32 assists. His strong play helped the team reach the playoffs for the first time since 2012. After the Devils lost in the playoffs, Nico shared that he had been playing with a hand injury. This injury kept him from playing in the 2018 World Championship.

In his second season (2018–19), Nico had 47 points in 69 games. Even though the team struggled, he was a strong player. The Devils did not make the playoffs that year.

Before the 2019–20 season, Nico played with the Swiss national team prospects. On October 16, 2019, he got an upper-body injury. Two days later, the Devils signed him to a new seven-year contract. The 2019–20 season was cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nico played 58 games, scoring 14 goals and 36 points.

Hischier in action against the Seattle Kraken in 2023

Nico missed the start of the 2020–21 season due to a leg injury. He made his season debut on February 20, 2021. Before that game, he was announced as the 12th captain in Devils history. This made him the youngest captain in the league at the time. He played only five games before getting another injury. A shot hit him in the face, breaking his nose. This injury kept him out for 24 games. He finished that season with six goals and five assists. The Devils missed the playoffs again.

In the 2022–23 season, Nico had his best year yet. He scored 31 goals, 49 assists, and 80 points. This was the second-highest point total on his team. He was also nominated for the Frank J. Selke Trophy. This award goes to the forward who plays the best defense.

On October 27, 2023, Nico got an upper-body injury. This happened after a hit to the head from a player on the Buffalo Sabres. The player who hit him was suspended for two games.

On November 25, 2024, Nico scored his first NHL hat trick. He scored three goals in a row in a 5–2 win against the Nashville Predators.

Playing for Switzerland

Hischier at the 2017 World Junior Championships
Medal record
Representing  Switzerland
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Silver	2024 Czech Republic
Silver	2025 Sweden/Denmark

Nico first played for Switzerland at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships. He scored one goal there. He also played in the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, scoring six points. At the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships, he had four points.

At the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Nico was the youngest player on the Swiss team. He also played in the 2017 World Juniors. He scored four goals and had seven points in five games. This was the most points by any player who could be drafted in 2017. He also played in the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships, getting six points.

Nico was chosen to play for the senior Swiss team in the 2019 IIHF World Championship. He scored one goal and had two assists in a 9–0 win against Italy. He finished the tournament with nine points in eight games.

He represented Switzerland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won a silver medal.

Nico was the captain of Switzerland's team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. He got injured during a game against Germany and could not finish the tournament. The Swiss team still went on to win silver medals.

How Nico Plays

Nico Hischier is known as a well-rounded player. He is good at both offense and defense. People have compared him to former NHL player Pavel Datsyuk. Datsyuk was famous for being a skilled player who could play both ways. Nico himself has said he tries to play like Datsyuk. He even wears the same jersey number, 13.

When the Devils picked him, their general manager Ray Shero said Nico's speed and commitment to defense were key reasons. He thought Nico was perfect for the team. The Head coach John Hynes also praised Nico. He said Nico's "speed, skill set and hockey sense" were already at an NHL level.

Nico's Life Outside Hockey

Nico comes from a family of athletes. His father, Rino, played football. His mother, Katja, was a sports teacher. Nico is the youngest of three children. He has an older brother, Luca, and a sister, Nina. Luca plays hockey for Genève-Servette HC in Switzerland. Nina played high-level volleyball.

There were no ice rinks in Nico's hometown. So, his mother took him and Luca to a nearby town to learn to skate. That is where they found hockey. Nico also played football until he was 12. But then he followed Luca and focused only on hockey. Nico is a big fan of the English football club Manchester City F.C..

After the 2018–19 NHL season, Nico started his civic military service in Switzerland.

Awards and Honors