Nico Hischier

Nico Hischier was born on January 4, 1999. He began his professional ice hockey career in his native Switzerland, playing in both the top-tier National League A and the second-tier National League B in 2015. For the 2016–17 season, he moved to North America to join the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). During this season, Hischier achieved significant recognition, being named the Canadian Hockey League’s rookie of the year and winning the Michael Bossy Trophy as the best professional prospect in the league. He also received the Michel Bergeron Trophy as the QMJHL’s offensive rookie of the year, after collecting 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) in 57 games, leading all QMJHL rookies.

Hischier became the highest-drafted Swiss-born player in NHL history when the New Jersey Devils selected him first overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Devils on July 15, 2017. In his first NHL season (2017-18), he scored 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points in 82 games. He continued to develop, being named the 12th captain in Devils history on February 20, 2021, making him the second-youngest Devil to hold the position. In the 2022-23 season, Hischier achieved career highs with 31 goals, 49 assists, and 80 points, and was nominated for the Selke Award, recognizing the forward who excels in defensive aspects of the game. On the international stage, he has represented Switzerland in multiple tournaments, earning silver medals at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF World Championships.