Home United States USA — mix Devils pick Nico Hischier first overall in 2017 NHL draft

Devils pick Nico Hischier first overall in 2017 NHL draft

240
0
SHARE

The Devils have missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons.
CHICAGO — Perhaps it was a good omen nine years ago when Nico Hischier slipped an oversized New Jersey Devils sweater over his head and posed for a photo with the club he was eventually destined to play for.
“I was really young, ” Hischier said after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2017 NHL draft by the Devils on Friday night. “There’s a tournament in Switzerland where you wear an NHL team (jersey) . It was always random. That year, I wore the New Jersey Devils.”
The Devils aren’ t random to Hischier anymore. They’ re the 18-year-old center’s new home. Hischier’s selection to New Jersey came in historic form, as he became the first Swiss-born player to get selected first overall.
“It means a lot, ” Hischier said. “There’s a lot of guys in Switzerland supporting me.”
Hischier admittedly was “speechless” after hearing his name called because the Devils didn’ t tell him he was their choice until it was announced to the United Center crowd. So speechless that he blurted out on an NBC Sports Network TV interview, “I find no words. I love to hockey.”
Not too long ago, the hockey world would’ ve been surprised with the Devils’ pick as well. Hischier failed to make a huge impact as a teenager playing against older competition in Switzerland during the 2015-16 campaign.
But his first season in North America showcased his game-changing offensive ability and potential. Hischier had 86 points in 57 games last season with the Hailfax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. That prowess also helped him ascend up mock draft boards until he was considered a top prospect alongside Brandon Wheat Kings star Nolan Patrick, who went to the Philadelphia Flyers at No. 2.
“It was a lot of emotions, from one second to the other, ” Hischier said of waiting to reach his childhood dream.
His mother eventually broke into tears.
“Hearing my name called was unbelievable, ” Hischier.
Hischier, a player with dynamic offensive abilities, is far from a one-dimensional player; he’s seen as a top-end playmaker with a great feel for the game. Devils owner Ray Shero saw Hischier’s skill set fitting into New Jersey’s system and felt like Hischier was the player to help resuscitate the franchise.
“Somebody’s gonna be a Hall of Famer in this draft, ” Shero said before the draft. “The challenge is to find him. I hope he’s at No. 1.”
The Devils finished with a 28-40-14 record in 2016-17 and missed the postseason for the fifth consecutive season. The 70 points were the fewest since 1988-98. They have ranked 27th or worse in offense in those seasons.
Of course, it’s not the recent Devils teams that Hischier is most familiar with. His childhood jersey was almost a decade old, after all.
“To join such an amazing team with a lot of history, it’s just awesome, ” Hischier said. “And I’ m really happy to be part of that organization. I’ m really looking forward to it.”

Continue reading...