Nico Hischier Selected No. 1 Overall by New Jersey Devils in 2017 NHL Draft

NEWARK, NJ – For the last two months, there was much speculation as to who the New Jersey Devils would select with their historic top overall pick with the consensus being between two players – WHL’s highly-touted prospect Nolan Patrick or the Swiss center Nico Hischier, whose impressive play with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL saw him ascend to the top of many mock draft boards.

On Friday night, New Jersey opted for the 18-year-old native of Switzerland, much to the approval of the majority of the fans who turned out for the team’s celebration exclusive to season ticket holders on Edison Place adjacent to the Prudential Center. The festivities, presented by Budweiser, were held at Redd’s Biergarten, Taste Venue and Edison Ale House and featured a combination of current players, alumni and broadcasters.

In 57 games with the Mooseheads last year, Hischier scored 38 goals while tallying 48 assists to an impressive 86 points. He figures to provide a significant boost to an offense that ranked third-worst in goals scored (2.20) last season and could potentially pair on lines with Taylor Hall, who was the top overall pick of the 2010 NHL Draft Class.

“It’s great to join such an amazing team, with so much history,” Hischier said on NBCSN. “I’m really happy to be part of this organization.”

One of the qualities that Hischier possesses, according to the Devils’ leading goal scorer, doesn’t show up on the stat sheet and that is the mutual support that he has received from his family.

“When you have that strong sense of family values it certainly helps with the transition of becoming an NHL player,” explained Patrik Elias, who played for 20 seasons with the New Jersey Devils. “This organization will do everything that it can to make it easy and comfortable for him.”

Elias anticipates that the recent successes of the top overall draft picks in Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, the youngest player in NHL history to achieve status of captain and Toronto Maple Leafs forward and 2016-17 NHL Rookie of the Year Auston Matthews might put additional pressure of Hischier to succeed early on, but that shouldn’t be.

“Everybody’s different – you might have more talent or less talent than those guys,” Elias said. “Everybody matures in a different way. For (Hischier), it’s going to be very important to stay on the course and not to worry about what anyone else did with guys who were drafted before him.”

Regardless of whether or not Hischier emerges as the next great superstar, he will provide another dimension to the Devils’ offense that was lacking last season.

“I think he’s going to be a great fit for us – he adds a lot of depth to our team,” said Devils forward Miles Wood after testing out his bartending skills at Redd’s Biergarten while interacting with fans. “His speed is going to help open the ice for guys on the wings. I think it’s going to be a great year and I’m really looking forward to meeting him.”

Wood, who played 60 games during his rookie season last year, finished with eight goals and nine assists.

“There’s going to be a lot of people saying stuff to you, and you can only control so much,” suggested Wood. “It’s up to you to stay focused on the day-to-day parts of your game.”

Next season the Devils will aim to end a five-year postseason drought and are primed to compete with added depth on their roster.