Nico Hischier Bio
Nico Hischier (born 4 January 1999) is a Swiss professional ice hockey centre who serves as captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected first overall by the Devils in the 2017 NHL entry draft, Hischier became the first Swiss player in history to be chosen with the top pick. He made his NHL debut in 2017 and was named the 12th captain in Devils history in February 2021, becoming the youngest captain in the league at that time. Hischier has established himself as a strong two-way forward known for his exceptional hockey sense, speed, and defensive responsibility.
Early Life and Background
Nico Hischier was born on 4 January 1999 in Brig, Switzerland, located in the canton of Valais in the southern part of the country. His father, Rino Hischier, played football for FC Naters, and his mother, Katja Hischier, worked as a sports teacher. Hischier is the youngest of three siblings, with an older brother Luca and sister Nina. Luca went on to become a professional hockey player for Genève-Servette HC in the Swiss National League, while Nina played volleyball at a high level in Switzerland.
There were no hockey rinks in Naters where Hischier grew up, so his mother took both Nico and Luca to nearby Visp to learn to skate. It was there that the brothers discovered hockey and began their journeys in the sport. Hischier also played football until he was 12 years old before deciding to focus exclusively on hockey. He grew up playing in the EHC Visp program and was a participant in the 2011 and 2012 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a youth team from Zürich.
Path to Professional Hockey
At the age of 15, Hischier moved from his native canton of Valais to Bern and joined SC Bern, following in his brother Luca's footsteps. This move allowed Nico to play at the top levels of Swiss under-17 and under-20 leagues. He began the 2015–16 season with EHC Visp, an affiliate of SC Bern, in the National League B, Switzerland's second-highest league. Due to several injuries at Bern, Hischier was promoted to the top team on 13 November 2015, playing alongside his brother. He appeared in 15 games with Bern that season while spending most of the year with Visp.
The Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) selected Hischier sixth overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft. After discussions with the team's general manager and former Mooseheads player Timo Meier, Hischier committed to joining Halifax for the 2016–17 season. In his first QMJHL season, he finished second on the team in scoring with 38 goals and 86 points, ranking tenth overall in the league. He led all QMJHL rookies in both goals and points. His outstanding performance earned him the RDS Cup as QMJHL Rookie of the Year, the Michael Bossy Trophy as the best professional prospect in the league, and a spot on the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team. He was also named the Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year.
Nico Hischier Career
QMJHL and Draft Year (2016–2017)
Prior to the 2017 NHL entry draft, Hischier was regarded as a top prospect and a candidate to be selected first overall. Ranked as the second-best North American skater by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, he was considered a tremendous offensive talent with exceptional hockey sense. Hischier was also recognized as a strong two-way player with excellent skating abilities and was viewed as a consensus top-two pick alongside Nolan Patrick. He led Halifax in playoff scoring with seven points in six games during his rookie season.
New Jersey Devils Breakthrough (2017–2021)
Hischier was selected with the first overall pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft by the New Jersey Devils, making him the first Swiss player ever drafted first overall. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils on 15 July 2017. After a strong training camp where he led the Devils in scoring with seven points in four preseason games, Hischier made the opening-day roster. His NHL debut came on 7 October 2017 against the Colorado Avalanche.
He recorded his first point, an assist, on 9 October in his second game against the Buffalo Sabres. His first two NHL goals came ten days later against Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators. Hischier finished his rookie season as the Devils' second-best scorer with 52 points, including 20 goals and 32 assists, helping the team secure their first playoff berth since 2012. He played alongside Hart Trophy-winning linemate Taylor Hall during that breakthrough season.
In his sophomore season (2018–19), Hischier recorded 47 points in 69 games. With Hall injured for a large portion of the season, Hischier led the team in Corsi-For percentage, scoring chances for percentage, and high-danger chances for percentage. The Devils, however, struggled as a team and missed the playoffs that year.
New Jersey Devils Captain (2021–Present)
Prior to the 2020–21 season, Hischier suffered a leg injury that kept him out of training camp and the start of the season. He made his season debut on 20 February 2021, against the Buffalo Sabres, and was announced as the 12th captain in Devils history before that game, becoming the youngest captain in the NHL at that time. Despite playing only five games before suffering another injury when a shot from teammate P.K. Subban hit him in the face, Hischier finished the shortened season with six goals and five assists in 21 games.
In the 2022–23 season, Hischier achieved a career-high 31 goals, 49 assists, and 80 points, ranking second on the team behind Jack Hughes. His outstanding two-way play earned him a nomination for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. On 27 October 2023, Hischier suffered an upper-body injury resulting from an illegal check to the head by Buffalo Sabres defenceman Connor Clifton, who received a match penalty and suspension for the hit.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hischier is described as a well-rounded player capable of both offence and strong defence. He has been compared to former NHL star Pavel Datsyuk, renowned as a skilled two-way forward, and Hischier himself has stated that he models his style after Datsyuk, even wearing the same number 13. Devils general manager Ray Shero cited both Hischier's speed and commitment to defence as reasons for selecting him first overall. His exceptional hockey sense, competitive nature, and ability to win puck battles make him a valuable two-way centre at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
On 25 November 2024, Hischier recorded his first NHL hat trick, accomplishing the feat as a natural hat trick, in a 5–2 win against the Nashville Predators. This milestone highlighted his continued growth as an elite offensive threat while maintaining his defensive responsibilities. His career-high 80-point season in 2022–23 and subsequent Selke Trophy nomination solidified his status as one of the league's top two-way forwards.
Nico Hischier Career Wins
Hischier has accumulated significant achievements across his junior and professional career, including individual awards in the QMJHL and CHL, as well as helping the Devils return to playoff contention.
Junior Hockey Highlights
During his one season with the Halifax Mooseheads in 2016–17, Hischier dominated as a rookie, recording 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) in 62 games. He won the RDS Cup as QMJHL Rookie of the Year, the Michael Bossy Trophy as the league's best professional prospect, and was named CHL Rookie of the Year. His performance helped establish him as the top prospect for the 2017 NHL draft.
International Achievements
Hischier has represented Switzerland at multiple international tournaments throughout his career. He won silver medals at both the 2024 and 2025 World Championships with the Swiss national team. In the 2017 World Junior Championship, he scored four goals and recorded seven total points in five games, the most by any player eligible for the 2017 NHL draft. His international career includes appearances at the World U18 Championships in 2015 and 2016, as well as the 2017 World U18 Championship.
Nico Hischier Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Nico Hischier comes from an athletic family with multiple professional athletes across different sports. His father, Rino, played football for FC Naters in Switzerland. His mother, Katja, worked as a sports teacher and was instrumental in introducing both Nico and his brother to hockey by taking them to Visp to learn to skate. Hischier has an older brother, Luca, who is also a professional hockey player in the Swiss National League for Genève-Servette HC. His sister, Nina, played volleyball at a high level in Switzerland.
Personal Life
Hischier is an avid supporter of Premier League football club Manchester City F.C. After the 2018–19 NHL season ended, he began his civic military service process in Switzerland, as required by Swiss law for male citizens. Hischier has established himself as a community figure in New Jersey and continues to represent Switzerland on the international stage. He continues to wear number 13, a tribute to his hockey idol Pavel Datsyuk.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another milestone in Hischier's career as he continued to serve as captain of the New Jersey Devils. His leadership has been instrumental in the team's ongoing development and push for playoff contention. Hischier represented Switzerland at the 2025 World Championship as team captain, leading the squad to another silver medal before suffering an injury during a group stage game against Germany that prevented him from finishing the tournament.
Off the ice, Hischier remains one of the most recognizable Swiss players in the NHL and continues to inspire young hockey players in Switzerland. His unique path from a small town in Valais to becoming the first Swiss player drafted first overall in NHL history, combined with his continued success as a two-way centre and team captain, has solidified his place as a role model for European players aspiring to reach the NHL. His commitment to both offensive production and defensive excellence continues to make him a valuable asset for the Devils as they build toward sustained competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.