Nico Hischier Valued By Devils Teammates

"Obviously, he is a great player, but when you play with him and see the details, the face-offs, the defensive game, him being a leader, you get a good appreciation for that."

This season, New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier appeared in 71 games. He scored 27 goals, tied for second-most on the team, and 67 points. It was the third time in his career he earned 60 or more points in a single season.

This season, Hischier averaged the second-most ice time per game among forwards behind Jack Hughes (19:29). A statistic that stands out is that despite his high ice time, he only committed 28 giveaways, compared to Hughes, who had the most on the team, 71.

Of course, they are two different players.

Hughes possesses the kind of flash that keeps fans on the edge of their seats every time he touches the puck in the offensive zone. Hischier is a responsible 200-foot player who, in addition to scoring goals, is relied upon on the penalty kill and taking critical face-offs.

This season was Chris Tierney's first as Hischier's teammate. During his exit interview, he said he was impressed by the first overall pick and spoke highly of the 25-year-old.

"Obviously, he is a great player, but when you play with him and see the details, the face-offs, the defensive game, him being a leader, you get a good appreciation for that."

Curtis Lazar also spoke about Hischier's leadership.

"It is easy when you're winning, but when things go sideways, (Hischier) is the one front and center answering all the questions," he said. "He is such a young guy with a calm demeanor, and he's really, I think, the heartbeat of our hockey club. We rely upon him a lot."

The versatile veteran added that Hischier's 200-foot game is outstanding.

Hischier's game has caught the attention of more than just his teammates. Last season, he finished second in Selke Trophy voting behind then-Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron. An award given to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.

In early March, ESPN play-by-play announcer Bob Wischusen spoke exclusively to The Hockey News about the young Devils' captain.

"I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for Nico Hischier's game. He is one of my favorites. If he does not win a Selke Trophy soon, he should," he said. "I think he is worthy of being a captain. He is really hard-working, willing to sacrifice, and does the dirty work.

"For a guy who got drafted where he got drafted, there is usually this automatic assumption that if you draft a guy there and if he does not score 45 goals in a season, he is a failure. To me, with Nico, nothing could be further from the truth. He is a really good player," he continued.

It is clear that Hischier has earned the respect of his teammates and is earning a reputation around the league for his 200-foot game. The good news for New Jersey is that at 25, Hischier is only entering his prime and likely still has another level to reach on the ice.

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