Between playoff appearances and becoming one of the youngest captains in the league, Nico Hischier‘s stats and all-around game have seen a lot of development the past few years. The Swiss-born player began his professional playing career in 2015 while playing in Switzerland. He played for both top-tier National League A and second-tier National League B. He spent the 2016-17 season playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League as a member of the Halifax Mooseheads. When the 2017 NHL Entry Draft rolled around, a popular name being projected as the first-overall pick was Nolan Patrick. The hockey world was taken by surprise when Hischer went first overall instead. Thus making him the first Swiss player in NHL history to do so.
Hischier has Established Himself in the League in Just a Short Time
Nico Hischier’s Rookie Season Recap With Some Key Stats
Hischier made his NHL debut on October 7, 2017 in a game against the Colorado Avalanche that resulted in a 4-1 Devils win. He recorded his first point two days later during a game against the Buffalo Sabres. A little less than two weeks later, Hischier went on to record his first two NHL career goals during a game against the Ottawa Senators. He finished his rookie season with 52 points after making appearances in all 82 games. Unfortunately, online there were comments doubting his talent and impact on the team. However, Hischier ended the season as the Devils second best scorer, with 20 out of his 50 points were from goals. The Devils also made their first playoff appearance in six years as Hischier made his NHL playoff debut. Hischier played in all five games before the team was eventually eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Earning the ‘C’ on His Jersey
During the rest of his entry-level contract period, Hischier was subjected to online criticism. After missing out on 13 games during his second season and 24 games during his third he was subjected to ‘draft bust’ allegations. Things took a turn, however, during the 2020-21 season. A major development took place in his career. A bleak looking season for Hischier because of a leg injury that caused him to miss nearly five months of the season turned around later on. Right before his first game back after returning from injury, he was announced as the 12 captain in Devils history. This made him the youngest captain in the league at the time.
Nico Hischier Reaching New Heights With his Stats and Leadership
The 2021-22 season marked Hischier’s first full season as captain of the Devils. Despite having limited playing time the previous year, Hischier made his mark that season. With 21 goals and 39 assists, this was the first time he hit the 60-point mark in a season.
The following year was explosive for the Devils as a whole. They won 52 games, making it the most wins in a season in Devils franchise history. They also booked a ticket to the playoffs. This made it Hischier’s second time joining in on postseason action with the team and his first as the team leader. On a more personal note regarding his stats, this marked the first time Nico Hischier had 30 goals in a season. He also finished with 80 points, the second most out of any Devil that season, right behind Jack Hughes.
What Goes up, Must Come Down
For the Devils, their most recent season was full of struggles. Hischier’s start to the season was put to an abrupt halt early on after sustaining an injury in a game against the Buffalo Sabres. Without him in the lineup, the Devils were 4-5-0. The decrease in team performance lead to multiple reporters questioning players in where this was all coming from. Many of them reaffirmed how key Hischier is to not only their lineup but as a leader and as a voice in the locker room. Once he returned, things seemed a bit more natural. There were other problems the team was facing but there was an improvement in performance with Hischier, in comparison to playing without him.
It’s been made clear that the Devils are a team that work well in response to Hischier’s leadership. He went from the high stakes of being a first-overall pick to the high stakes of captaincy. The Devils have become known as a young group of guys full of talent who need the right person to lead them. So far, that right person has been Nico Hischier. It will be a treat to see where he and the Devils finish the 2024-25 season.
Main Photo Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
