Nico Hischier Bio
Nico Hischier (born 4 January 1999) is a Swiss professional ice hockey player who serves as the captain and centre for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. Hischier made his professional debut in Switzerland in 2015 and moved to North America for major junior play before being selected first overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Devils.
Early Life and Background
Nico Hischier was born in Brig, Switzerland, on 4 January 1999 and grew up in the canton of Valais. He is the youngest of three children in a sporting family: his father Rino played football for FC Naters and his mother Katja worked as a sports teacher. Hischier and his siblings learned to skate in nearby Visp because there were no rinks in Naters, and he played football until age 12 before focusing on hockey.
At 15 Hischier moved to Bern to join the youth program at SC Bern, following his older brother Luca, which allowed him to compete at higher levels in Swiss under-17 and under-20 leagues. He developed through the EHC Visp program and earned his first professional minutes in Switzerland’s National League B and was called up to SC Bern during the 2015–16 season when injuries created opportunities on the top team.
Path to Hockey
Hischier’s early path combined Swiss junior development and a strategic move to North American major junior hockey to accelerate NHL preparation. Selected sixth overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft by the Halifax Mooseheads, he joined the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the 2016–17 season to face higher-volume North American competition and showcase his skills to NHL scouts.
In Halifax Hischier immediately stood out as a high-impact rookie, leading QMJHL rookies in goals and points and earning the league rookie of the year honors and the CHL rookie of the year award. His performance in major junior, combined with his international resume at under-18 and World Junior events, established him as a consensus top prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Nico Hischier Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Hischier began his professional career in Switzerland in 2015, splitting time between EHC Visp in the National League B and SC Bern in the top-tier National League A. He logged 15 games with SC Bern during 2015–16 while spending most of the season with Visp, gaining experience against adult professionals and showcasing his two-way play and skating ability.
Those initial professional minutes in Switzerland accelerated Hischier’s development and put him on the radar of North American teams, contributing to his decision to accept an opportunity in the QMJHL the following season to pursue an NHL career.
Halifax Mooseheads Breakthrough (2016–2017)
Hischier’s single season with the Halifax Mooseheads was a breakthrough. He finished with 38 goals and 86 points, ranking tenth overall in the QMJHL and leading all rookies in goals and points. For his play he received the RDS Cup as QMJHL Rookie of the Year, the Michael Bossy Trophy as the best professional prospect in the league, and was named CHL Rookie of the Year.
His playoff performance in Halifax reinforced his upward trajectory, and his combination of offensive instincts, skating and defensive commitment moved him to the top of draft boards. By the time of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft he was a consensus top-two prospect and widely regarded as a candidate for the first overall selection.
New Jersey Devils Era (2017–Present)
Nico Hischier was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the first Swiss player to be drafted first overall. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract on 15 July 2017 and made the Devils’ opening-night roster after a strong training camp and preseason, debuting on 7 October 2017 against the Colorado Avalanche.
Hischier recorded his first NHL point on 9 October 2017 with an assist against the Buffalo Sabres and scored his first two NHL goals ten days later against the Ottawa Senators. He finished his rookie season with 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points, helping the Devils reach the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
Across subsequent seasons Hischier established himself as a cornerstone for the franchise. He signed a seven-year contract extension with New Jersey in October 2019 and continued to produce as a two-way centre. A leg injury delayed the start of his 2020–21 campaign, and on 20 February 2021 he was announced as the 12th captain in New Jersey Devils history, becoming the youngest captain in the NHL at that time.
Hischier has faced injury interruptions, including a broken nose in 2021 and an upper-body injury in October 2023 resulting from an on-ice check, but he returned to form and posted a career-high 80 points in the 2022–23 season with 31 goals and 49 assists and earned a nomination for the Frank J. Selke Trophy for defensive forward excellence.
Playing Style and Strengths
Nico Hischier is regarded as a well-rounded, two-way centre who combines speed, hockey sense and defensive responsibility with playmaking and scoring ability. Coaches and scouts have highlighted his ability to contribute in all zones, compete on the puck, and sustain possession while creating scoring chances; those traits underpin his role as a primary centre and team leader for the Devils.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Hischier’s career include being the first Swiss first overall NHL draft pick, making the Devils’ roster as a teenager in 2017, reaching 50-plus points as a rookie, signing a long-term extension in 2019, and being named New Jersey Devils captain in 2021. His career-high 80-point season in 2022–23 and his Selke Trophy nomination are further markers of his development into a franchise centre.
Nico Hischier Career Wins
Hischier’s verified individual achievements span major junior awards, international scoring contributions, and NHL milestones rather than a single championship trophy at the club level. His list of verified wins includes QMJHL and CHL rookie honors in 2016–17 and consistent NHL regular-season scoring milestones through the 2022–23 season.
QMJHL Highlights
In his lone QMJHL season with the Halifax Mooseheads Hischier led all rookies in goals and points, finished tenth overall in league scoring, and received the RDS Cup and Michael Bossy Trophy as the league’s top rookie and best prospect. Those performances directly contributed to his elevation to the top of 2017 draft rankings.
Other Wins & Perfromances
On the international stage Hischier contributed at under-18 and World Junior tournaments and recorded nine points in eight games for Switzerland at the 2019 IIHF World Championship. He earned silver medals with Switzerland at the 2024 World Championship and as part of squads noted in subsequent international tournaments where he served in leadership roles.
Nico Hischier Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hischier comes from a family with strong sporting ties. His father Rino played football for FC Naters and his mother Katja worked as a sports teacher. His older brother Luca is a professional hockey player with Genève-Servette HC in the Swiss National League, and his sister Nina competed in volleyball at a high level in Switzerland.
Personal Life
Hischier and his family relocated during his youth to support hockey development, moving to Bern so he could play at higher junior levels. Off the ice he is a noted fan of Manchester City Football Club and completed the process for Swiss civic military service after the 2018–19 season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season outlook for Nico Hischier centers on leadership continuity and on-ice production established in prior seasons. As Devils captain he is expected to carry two-way responsibilities, anchor the team’s top lines, and drive special teams and defensive-zone structure while contributing secondary scoring and playmaking.
Hischier’s health and availability will shape New Jersey’s forward depth and competitive posture; when fully fit he remains a primary building block for the franchise and a central figure in the Devils’ efforts to return to and advance in playoff contention.
