Nico Hischier's manager Patrick Fischer opens up in a one-on-one interview with Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News.

Patrick Fischer is a name that may not be familiar to most New Jersey Devils fans. 

He is a Senior Consultant at By The Way Communications, located in Bern, Switzerland, and prefers to stay in the background allowing the spotlight to shine solely on his clients.

Fischer is Nico Hischier's manager, separate from his agent, and, according to their website, supports Hischier in branding, digital communication, media relations, marketing, and sponsorships.

Recently, Hischier collaborated with Switzerland Tourism to giveaway a full day of exploration with him in the Valais Matterhorn Region in Switzerland. On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Hischier welcomed the two contest winners to his home country, and Fischer accompanied him as the 24-year-old began a walking tour of his hometown.

That morning he agreed to an exclusive interview with Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News. He reflected on his working relationship with the Devils' captain dating back to the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

"When we started working with Nico, which was about two months before the draft, it was pretty evident that he was going to be one of the top choices in that year's draft," he said.

Hischier would become the number one draft pick in 2017, making him the first Swiss player ever to be chosen first overall. Fischer knew this would be significant news in Switzerland and would set the foundation for Hischier to have an incredible marketing platform that very few athletes in Switzerland have ever had before him.

Looking back at those early years and interactions, Hischier's maturity and character caught Fischer's attention.

"He was always wise beyond his years. (When) I first met him. He had just turned 18. (Hischier) seemed much older, like three or four, (even) five years older. You can see by how he interacts with everybody how mature he is, how down to earth he is."

"His personality and character must have weighed in heavily when the Devils chose to make him captain when he had just turned 22," he said.

Two years after Hischier signed a seven-year contract extension, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald introduced him as the 12th captain in team history, succeeding defenseman Andy Greene. At the time, Hischier was 22 years and 47 days old, which made him the youngest captain in the NHL.

"I was not surprised at all (when Hischier was introduced as captain). When it became evident that the Devils needed a new captain, I (thought) Okay, it is either going to be Nico if they feel like he's ready at such a young age, or at the time, I thought there was one more player who could have been a candidate," Fischer said. "The Devils obviously felt that (Hischier) was ready."

From an organizational standpoint, the Devils endured difficult seasons while Hischier adapted to his new role. Head coaches were fired, veterans traded, and the team's poor performance landed them near the bottom of the league standings. This led Swiss media to ask the six-foot-one forward if he was happy in New Jersey and if signing a contract for seven years was a mistake.

Fischer explained that Hischier would address those questions the same. He said signing long-term was not a mistake, and he was confident in the organization. "I want to be part of the solution and the turnaround. I like it (in New Jersey)."

"You're thrown from a place like this into New Jersey, which couldn't be further from this," Fischer said. "With all the expectations not just from himself but from the team and the Swiss hockey community, he's brushed that aside and has been able to deal with it very well."

As Fischer acknowledged, the 24-year-old has faced adversity throughout his six-season career, including injuries and battling back from COVID. However, even through it all, Hischier remained level-headed and never steered away from the course.

Last season was a career year for Hischier and is largely considered a breakout for the Brig native. He appeared in 81 games and finished the season with 80 points (31 goals, 49 assists). Additionally, he finished second in Selke Trophy, voting behind Patrice Bergeron as the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.

Hischier led his team to a Round 1 playoff victory before his team was eliminated in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes. There was a feeling of achievement in the locker room during exit interviews, but Hischier knows you don't get a ring for winning one round, and more work needs to be done.

"He's driven to succeed, and he's not somebody that's easily satisfied or gets rejected," said Fischer.

Hischier's manager's comments confirm that GM Fitzgerald made the right choice in 2021 when he stitched the "C" on Hischier's jersey. The center has the skills on the ice along with the mindset to lead his team to an expected deep playoff run in the 2023-24 season.