New Jersey Devil Captain Nico Hischier has a big impact on quiet leadership – Hockey Writer – New Jersey Devil

When people talk about the New Jersey Devils, the conversation almost always returns to Jack Hughes, the undeniable superstar of the series. But dialogue often obscures Captain Nico Hischier’s unsung hero, a quiet but dominant presence on the ice and on the ice.

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While he didn’t make highlight moments for players like Hughes or Jesper Bratt, he has undeniable skills and two-way play that makes him crucial to the team’s success. His leadership style is respected through consistency, accountability and team-first mindsets. He was the glue to the devil’s lineup and brought the team from their worst season to the best team of 2022-23 and had a serious conversation around the Stanley Cup battle.

Hischier’s Quiet Power

Hischier became the first Swiss-born player at the 2017 NHL draft. Since then, he continues to surpass expectations and set new milestones. In his rookie season, he scored 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) and continued to move forward in ice time and points. During the 2020-21 season, Hischier was appointed as the twelfth captain in franchise history at the age of 22. The move reflects the organization’s belief in his maturity, leadership qualities and ability to be a team face. Hischier always emphasizes the team in front of him and tells the NHLPA after receiving the captain: “I try to lead by example, play the right way, do the right things, do the right little things, always put the team in front of me. That’s what I’m trying to do. I always want to do the best for the team, not the best for me. That’s what I think.” ”

That’s exactly what he did.

Hischier’s leadership revolves around selflessness. His influence boils down to subtle details, such as shouldering most of the penalty and strong game time, winning the standoff and passing all areas on the ice as a key offensive player. In terms of human strength, he seems to have easily absorbed cross checks and deflections, with 60 blocks in the 2024-25 season. He leads the team with goals (35), strong goals (14), against wins and against win rates (978, 55.5%). His ability to do small and big things sets him apart. Hischier is not leading by asking for the spotlight, but prioritizing the needs of the team.

Hischier’s growth as a player

Since putting on the “C”, Hischier has steadily developed into one of the league’s most reliable two-way players, reaching new milestones every season. In 2022-23, he had a professional season with 80 points (31 goals, 49 assists) and an average ice time (TOI) of 19:17. By the following season, he averaged 20:23 TOI, which demonstrated his ability to play a full game from the opening draw to the final squad. In October last season, Hischier once again felt his presence, becoming the first player in the NHL to reach 10 goals. True to form, he did so quietly, proving himself as a stable but undeniable force.

In 2022-23, Hischier became a Selke finalist, an award presented to the forward, who demonstrated the most capable skills in the defensive components of the game. In 2024-25, he received enough votes to finish fourth, with recognition and 11 votes in the competition.

Throughout his career, fans, teammates and coaches appreciate the advantages he brought to the team, Hischier never wavered in his identity and was modest and grateful for the position he deserved. While he may not be the loudest player on the team, he regularly expresses his position as a privileged captain and uses it to continue to push his team to its full potential, thanks to the desire to relentlessly win games and perform the highest.

His teammates and coaches kept agreeing. Hischier is “Driving a train [the] team. “Blatt said in an exclusive interview in April this year.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe responded to Bratt’s praise, expressing his impression of being with the young captain in his first year as a devil coach. “I don’t know if I’ve given him an easy turn this season. He’s going to do the toughest tasks every night and still contribute to the way I’m offensive to all of these defensive tasks and produces his offensive style, he helped form a highly respected defensive team and provided us with anchor points in that way.”

Hischier’s impact on the devil is beyond statistics

Hischier’s captain originated from humility, resilience and role model, echoing his identity on and on the ice. He put in hard work and empathetic leadership, gaining trust from coaches, teammates and fans – with confidence when he stomped on the ice. He stood tall at high pressure, and his dedication to the devil organization was evident in his actions. He grew up to be a leader, he inspired by role models and especially raised the people around him. His influence goes beyond statistics – he is actively shaping the culture, work ethics and identity of the team.