The New Jersey Devils have announced that Nico Hischier will become the 12th captain in franchise history.
** Breaking News** @nicohischier to be named the Captain of the @NJDevils . He joins @PredsNHL Roman Josi as two Swiss born Captains in the @NHL . @NHLNetwork @MySwitzerland_e @SwissHockeyNews @NationalLeague #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/Cm0dFeTtJo
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) February 20, 2021
Captaincy Handed to Hischier
Nico Hischier has been one of the best players on the Devils roster over the last three seasons. Drafted first overall in 2017, he was seen as the next face of the franchise. He posted 20 goals and 52 total points as a rookie, showing his worth as an 18-year-old. Hischier has not been able to reach that point total since his rookie campaign. In the two seasons since, he has been limited by injuries. He has yet to make his debut this year due to one. In the 209 career games played by the Swiss-born centre, he has posted 135 points. Hischier is also reliable defensively with a career relative Corsi for percentage of 2.7. Although he has not necessarily lived up to the status expected by being drafted first overall, he has been good for the team.
Some may see this as an odd choice for the captaincy. Hischier has only played in three NHL seasons. This year will be his fourth and he is only 21-years-old. While he is not the youngest captain in NHL history, he still ranks near the youngest. While some may think of him as unprepared for this role, it shows how much faith the organization has in the young centreman.
[pickup_prop id=”4260″]
Captaincy History
Nico Hischier is the franchise’s 12th captain. Most recently, the captaincy was held by defenceman Andy Greene. Greene was traded to the New York Islanders at the 2020 trade deadline. Since then the captaincy has been left vacant. Players who have held an alternate captaincy this season include Travis Zajac, Kyle Palmieri, Miles Wood, and P.K. Subban.
Main Photo:
