Nico Hischier Bio
Nico Hischier (born 4 January 1999) is a Swiss professional ice hockey player who plays centre and serves as captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 185 cm tall and weighing 91 kg, he is regarded as a strong two-way forward and is widely considered one of the most accomplished Swiss players in league history. Hischier made his professional debut in his native Switzerland in 2015 and has since developed into a central figure for both his club and his national team.
Selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Hischier became the first Swiss-born player to be chosen with the top pick. He has represented Switzerland at multiple international tournaments, including the World Junior Championships and the IIHF World Championship. Beyond his on-ice achievements, he is recognized for his leadership, defensive responsibility, and consistency in both regular-season and high-pressure playoff environments.
Early Life and Background
Nico Hischier was born on 4 January 1999 in Brig, a town in the canton of Valais in southern Switzerland. He grew up in nearby Naters, in a family with deep athletic roots. His father, Rino, played football for FC Naters, while his mother, Katja, worked as a sports teacher. Hischier is the youngest of three siblings, with an older brother, Luca, and a sister, Nina, both of whom also pursued sports at high levels.
There were no ice rinks in Naters, so Katja took both of her sons to nearby Visp to learn how to skate, which is where the brothers first discovered hockey. Hischier also played football until he was 12 years old, but eventually chose to follow his older brother Luca and focus exclusively on hockey. He developed his early game in the EHC Visp youth program, laying the foundation for what would become a professional career.
At the age of 15, Hischier moved from Valais to Bern to join SC Bern, following the same path his brother Luca had taken years earlier. This move allowed him to compete at the top levels of Swiss under-17 and under-20 hockey and prepared him for the demands of professional play. He is also an avid supporter of the Premier League football club Manchester City F.C., a personal interest that has followed him throughout his career.
Path to Hockey
Hischier began the 2015–16 season with EHC Visp, an affiliate of SC Bern, in the National League B, the second-highest tier of Swiss hockey. On 13 November 2015, due to injuries on the top team in Bern, he was promoted and played alongside his brother Luca in the National League A, marking his professional debut at just 16 years old. He appeared in 15 games with Bern that season while spending the remainder of his time developing with Visp.
Seeking a higher level of competition, Hischier moved to North America for the 2016–17 season to play major junior hockey with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He had been selected sixth overall by Halifax in the 2016 CHL Import Draft, and discussions with the team’s general manager and former Swiss Mooseheads player Timo Meier helped convince him to make the move. In his first season in the QMJHL, he led all rookies in goals and points, finishing with 38 goals and 86 points in 52 games.
For his outstanding rookie campaign, Hischier earned the RDS Cup as QMJHL Rookie of the Year, the Michael Bossy Trophy as the league’s best professional prospect, and a spot on the QMJHL Rookie All-Star Team. He was also named the top rookie across the entire Canadian Hockey League. In the playoffs, he led Halifax in scoring with seven points in six games, further cementing his status as a top NHL prospect heading into the 2017 draft.
Nico Hischier Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Hischier’s professional career began in the 2015–16 season when he split time between EHC Visp in the National League B and SC Bern in the National League A. Hischier was called up to the top team in November 2015, and his strong play in limited minutes demonstrated that he was ready for higher-level competition. The experience of training and playing with established professionals in Bern helped accelerate his development and prepared him for the transition to North American hockey.
QMJHL Breakthrough (2016–2017)
The 2016–17 season with the Halifax Mooseheads marked Hischier’s first full season in the QMJHL and his first major showcase on a North American stage. He finished second on the Mooseheads in scoring and tenth overall in the QMJHL, with 38 goals and 86 points, while also leading all league rookies in both categories. His mix of offensive skill, hockey sense, and defensive awareness made him a dominant force in his age group.
Beyond his regular-season success, Hischier elevated his game in the playoffs, leading Halifax in scoring with seven points in six games. He was also a key contributor for Switzerland at the 2017 World Juniors, where he recorded seven points in five games, the most by any player eligible for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. By the end of the season, he was regarded as a consensus top-two pick alongside Nolan Patrick, setting the stage for his selection by the New Jersey Devils.
New Jersey Devils (2017–Present)
Hischier was selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the first Swiss player ever chosen with the top pick. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract on 15 July 2017 and made his NHL debut on 7 October 2017 against the Colorado Avalanche. He recorded his first point two days later against the Buffalo Sabres and scored his first two goals shortly after, finishing his rookie season with 52 points in all situations. His performance helped the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2012, and he played through a hand injury during the postseason.
In 2018–19, Hischier registered 47 points in 69 games and led the team in advanced metrics such as Corsi-For percentage, scoring chances, and high-danger chances. Despite his individual success, the Devils missed the playoffs. On 18 October 2019, the Devils signed him to a seven-year, $50.75 million contract extension. The 2019–20 season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Devils failed to qualify for the postseason. The 2020–21 campaign was disrupted by injuries, but on 20 February 2021, the Devils named Hischier the 12th captain in franchise history and the youngest captain in the NHL at the time.
The 2022–23 season marked Hischier’s most productive year to date, as he set career highs with 31 goals, 49 assists, and 80 points, finishing second on the team in scoring behind Jack Hughes. His strong two-way play earned him a nomination for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s best defensive forward. On 25 November 2024, he recorded his first NHL hat trick, a natural hat trick, in a 5–2 win over the Nashville Predators, further cementing his importance to the Devils lineup.
Driving Style and Strengths
Described as a well-rounded player capable of contributing in both offensive and defensive situations, Hischier has drawn frequent comparisons to former NHL star Pavel Datsyuk, a player renowned for his two-way excellence. Hischier has stated that he models his own game after Datsyuk and even wears the same number, 13. New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero cited his speed and commitment to defence as reasons for selecting him first overall, while head coach John Hynes praised his compete level, skill set, and hockey sense as already being at NHL standard.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hischier’s first NHL hat trick, a natural hat trick on 25 November 2024 against the Nashville Predators, stands among his most memorable individual performances. His selection as the first Swiss player ever taken first overall in the NHL Draft remains a defining career milestone. He was also named the youngest captain in the NHL when he was appointed the 12th captain of the Devils in February 2021, underscoring his leadership credentials and importance to the franchise.
Nico Hischier Career Wins
While individual statistics and awards tell part of the story, Hischier’s career is also defined by the impact he has had on his team’s success and his national program. His 2017–18 rookie campaign helped end a five-year playoff drought for the New Jersey Devils, and his steady two-way play has remained a foundation for the franchise ever since. He has also represented Switzerland on the international stage with consistent results.
NHL Highlights
In his rookie NHL season of 2017–18, Hischier finished with 52 points and helped lead the Devils back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2012. The 2022–23 season was his most productive statistically, with 31 goals, 49 assists, and 80 points, earning him a Selke Trophy nomination. His first NHL hat trick came on 25 November 2024, a natural hat trick in a 5–2 win over the Nashville Predators, and he has continued to serve as captain of the Devils since 2021.
Other Wins and Performances
Internationally, Hischier captained Switzerland at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where the team won a silver medal before he was forced out by an injury sustained in a group stage game against Germany. He also helped Switzerland win silver at the 2024 World Championship. Earlier in his career, he won the RDS Cup as QMJHL Rookie of the Year, the Michael Bossy Trophy, and the CHL Rookie of the Year award in 2016–17.
Nico Hischier Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hischier comes from a family of athletes. His father, Rino, played football for FC Naters, and his mother, Katja, worked as a sports teacher. His older brother, Luca, is also a professional hockey player, currently with Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss National League. His sister, Nina, played volleyball at a high level in Switzerland. The family’s strong sporting background played a key role in shaping Nico’s athletic development.
Personal Life
Hischier has remained closely connected to his Swiss roots throughout his professional career. After the 2018–19 NHL season, he returned to Switzerland to begin his mandatory civic military service, fulfilling an obligation required of Swiss citizens. He is a well-known supporter of Premier League football club Manchester City F.C. and has credited his family, particularly his mother Katja, for introducing him and his brother to hockey at a young age.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NHL season, Hischier remains the captain and a central figure for the New Jersey Devils. After a career-best 2022–23 campaign that included 80 points and a Selke Trophy nomination, he has continued to play a key role for the franchise both offensively and defensively. His first NHL hat trick in late 2024 served as another reminder of his scoring potential and offensive ceiling.
At the international level, Hischier served as captain of Switzerland at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where the team captured a silver medal. His tournament was cut short by an injury suffered in a group stage game against Germany, but his leadership helped set the tone for the Swiss squad throughout the event. Hischier’s performance on the international stage has reinforced his reputation as one of the most respected Swiss players of his generation.
With several more years remaining on his contract extension, Hischier is expected to remain a foundational piece for the Devils as the team looks to build sustained playoff success. His combination of leadership, two-way play, and offensive upside makes him one of the most important players in the locker room. As the 2025 season unfolds, the Devils will look to Hischier to continue driving the franchise back into Stanley Cup contention.