NEWARK, N.J. – Nico Hischier is already in the NHL record books as the first player from Switzerland selected No. 1 overall in the draft.
But the New Jersey Devils hope more history-making days are on the way for the 18-year-old, who had 38 goals and 48 assists in 57 games for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season. He projects, as you would expect for someone drafted No. 1, to be a star. But his road there will be his own.
"I know I still have to be a better hockey player and improve a lot of things," Hischier said Wednesday at the Devils rookie camp. "It starts right now with this development camp, to be a better hockey player, and I just go step by step. Having fun is the main thing for me, and I'll work hard and have fun at the same time."
The word "fun" is not one that has always been associated with the Devils' brand of hockey, but that could be set to change as they build around the top draftee. Hischier's calling card is his speed and ability to create offense on the move, not dissimilar to New Jersey's key trade acquisition this summer, former Washington Capitals center Marcus Johansson.
"He looks great, he looks fast, and he looks really skilled," said Pavel Zacha, another fleet-skating center who was the No. 6 overall pick in 2015 and had eight goals and 16 assists as a rookie last season. "It's going to be on him how he shows in this camp and the main camp. I think he looks great, and it's really exciting to see him."
Devils fans packed the team's practice rink Wednesday to get a glimpse of Hischier in the development camp's three-on-three tournament, and he did not disappoint, leading Team Niedermayer to the championship game. The view was even better on the ice.
"His skill is unbelievable," said Reilly Walsh, a third-round pick in this year's draft who played in a three-man unit alongside Hischier. "The speed, the vision, the hockey IQ, it's off the charts. He's such a smooth player, that's the first thing I noticed. He skates really well, controls the puck, and his acceleration - he cuts side to side so quick where he can make a good play - it catches your eye right away with him."
What does not immediately catch the eye with Hischier is an outsize personality. Walsh described Hischier as someone who "keeps to himself," while 2016 third-round pick Joey Anderson said, "you can tell he means business." Speaking with reporters, Hischier is quiet and deliberate in his responses to questions.
It's a stark contrast from who Hischier is as a player, but that may well be an attribute of its own, because when you're the No. 1 pick in the draft - particularly the top choice after Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid - there are going to be a lot of expectations to deal with.
"He seems like a pretty mature and polished kid for an 18-year-old," said Cory Schneider, who knows something about pressure on arrival, having come to New Jersey in the 2013 trade that anointed him as the successor to Martin Brodeur in goal when the legend still was with the Devils.
"I know I wasn't that way, but these kids today, they come in more ready than ever. The situation was different, since I was 27 and had been in the league a few years, and played on some good teams, and been surrounded by some very good veteran players - but I think that's the key, the veteran group. It's up to us to make sure that he doesn't feel that much pressure, or that he's got to be The Guy from day one.
"Hopefully we can do that, and let him be the player that he is because, by all accounts, he's an incredible talent."
