Saturday, February 20, 2021

Devils Name Nico Hischier 12th Captain In Team's History

Nico Hischier wearing the captain's C on Saturday. @NJDevils.


Before the Devils' Saturday afternoon game against the Buffalo Sabres, they team appointed Nico Hischier as their new captain. It is his first game of the season as well, as he missed the team's first 11 games due to a leg injury. 

The announcement was made by Devils Executive Vice President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald and Head Coach Lindy Ruff. They both are in their first year in their respective positions, so this is another signal that's it a fresh day for the New Jersey Devils.

Hischier, a center, is the youngest captain currently in the NHL, as he is 22 years and 47 days old. He is the second youngest captain in Devils history, after Kirk Muller, who was 21 years and 243 days old. 

Muller and Hischier also are linked because they both were given the captaincy in their fourth seasons in the NHL.

Hischier, a Brig, Switzerland native, is also  just the second current Swiss-born captain in the NHL, along with Nashville's Roman Josi. 

In his four years with the Devils organization, he has played in 209 games, scoring 51 goals, notching 84 assists for 135 points, and has finished in the top-three in team scoring in each of his three years with the team. Last season, he had 14 goals and 22 assists in 58 games (Devils played 69 games in the pandemic-shortened season).

Hischier represented the Devils at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game in St. Louis, scoring two goals and one assist for the Metropolitan Division. This came after the team signed him to a seven-year contract extension on October 18, 2019, with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

Devils captains in their history, from their first season in New Jersey in 1982-83 after moving from Colorado: 

Andy Greene (Oct. 9, 2015-Feb. 16, 2020), Bryce Salvador (Jan. 17, 2013 through the 2014-15 season), Zach Parise (Oct. 5, 2011 through 2011-12), Jamie Langenbrunner (Dec. 5, 2007 - Jan. 7, 2011), Patrik Elias (Oct. 5, 2006 through 2006-07), Scott Neidermayer (Jan. 9, 2004 - Aug. 4, 2005), Scott Stevens (Sept. 24, 1992 - Sept. 6, 2005 - see note below),  Bruce Driver (Oct. 5, 1991 - Sept. 24, 1992), Kirk Muller (June 18, 1987 - Sept. 20, 1991), Mel Bridgman (Jan. 9, 1984 - Mar. 9, 1987), and Don Lever (1982-83 through Jan. 9, 1984)

Note on Scott Stevens - He served as captain through the 2003-04 season, and retired after the canceled 2004-05 season.


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