Hello, hockey fans! If you love following the NHL and admire world-class, Nico Hischier is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Nico Hischier is a Swiss professional ice hockey center who plays for and captains the New Jersey Devils in the NHL. He is known as a smart two‑way forward, a former first overall draft pick, and one of the league’s more complete centers.
Nico Hischier’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Nico Hischier |
| Nickname | Hischy |
| Date of Birth | January 4, 1999 |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Birthplace | Brig, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Height | 6’1″ (186 cm) |
| Weight | 200 lbs (91 kg) |
| College | N/A |
| Turned Professional | 2017 |
| Current Team | New Jersey Devils |
| Position | Center |
| Jersey Number | 13 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $15-20 million |
| Current Salary | $8,000,000 |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship with Sabrina Müller |
| Children | None |
| Instagram Profile | @nicohischier (138,000+ followers) |
Early Career
Nico’s early hockey journey began in the EHC Visp youth system before he transferred to SC Bern at age 14, playing in the top Swiss professional league while still in his teenage years. In 2016, at just 17 years old, he made the significant decision to move to North America to play for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). This move proved transformative for his development.
In his rookie season with Halifax during 2016-17, Hischier absolutely dominated the league, recording 38 goals and 48 assists for 86 points in just 57 games. His extraordinary performance earned him the Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year award and the Michel Bergeron Trophy, making him one of the most decorated rookies in QMJHL history. Despite being younger and smaller than many of his peers, Hischier’s hockey intelligence, speed, and work ethic set him apart and made him the undisputed top prospect for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Professional Career
The New Jersey Devils selected Nico Hischier with the first overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, making him the first Swiss-born player ever chosen first overall in the history of the draft. This selection validated his extraordinary potential and placed immense expectations on his shoulders. Hischier’s NHL debut during the 2017-18 season proved he was ready for the challenge.
As a rookie, he appeared in all 82 games and recorded 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points, establishing himself as a legitimate NHL player immediately. Over his first eight seasons with the Devils, Hischier has developed into one of the league’s elite two-way centers. He earned recognition as an NHL All-Star in 2020 and was named the 12th captain in Devils franchise history in February 2021, a remarkable achievement for someone so young.
His 2022-23 season represented a career peak with 31 goals and 80 points in 81 games, demonstrating his scoring prowess at the highest level. In the 2024-25 season, Hischier set a new career high with 35 goals while adding 34 assists for 69 points across 75 games, showcasing his continued development as an elite offensive threat. His playing style draws comparisons to Pavel Datsyuk—a skilled, creative two-way forward who excels in both offensive production and defensive responsibility. Hischier wears number 13 specifically in homage to Datsyuk, whom he has modeled his career after.
Girlfriend
Nico Hischier is currently in a committed relationship with Sabrina Müller, a Swiss influencer, makeup artist, and social media personality. The couple has been together for several years and share a close bond both on and off the public eye. Müller has gained recognition through her beauty and lifestyle content on social media platforms.
According to reports, the couple adopted a poodle together named Teddy, with whom they are enjoying their life as dog parents. While there is speculation about potential engagement or marriage plans based on social media posts from August 2025 referencing newlyweds, Hischier has maintained privacy regarding his personal relationship details.
There are no reports of children at this time, with the couple focusing on their careers and enjoying their time together. Hischier’s relationship reflects his grounded personality and preference for maintaining a balance between his professional hockey career and private life away from the constant spotlight.
Nico Hischier’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Nico Hischier’s net worth is estimated to be between $15 and $20 million, a substantial accumulation built primarily through his professional NHL career. His financial success stems directly from his lucrative seven-year contract with the New Jersey Devils worth $50.75 million, which he signed in October 2019. Breaking down his earnings, Hischier has accumulated approximately $42.25 million through his NHL salary alone by the 2025-26 season. For the 2025-26 season specifically, he earns $8 million in base salary against a salary cap hit of $7.25 million annually.
Beyond his NHL earnings, Hischier generates additional income through endorsement deals with major brands like Breitling luxury watches, Monster Energy drinks, and various other sponsorships leveraging his status as one of the world’s premier ice hockey players and a Swiss national sporting icon. His endorsement portfolio continues to expand as his profile grows internationally, particularly in Europe where Swiss pride in his accomplishments drives commercial opportunities. These cumulative earnings, combined with prudent financial management, have established Hischier’s significant net worth by age 26.
Prize Money
| Source/Category | Amount | Details |
| Base Salary 2024-25 | $7,750,000 | Annual salary earned |
| Base Salary 2025-26 | $8,000,000 | Current season salary |
| Total Contract Value | $50,750,000 | 7-year extension signed Oct 2019 |
| Contract Average Annual Value (AAV) | $7,250,000 | Cap hit per season |
| Signing Bonus (2019 Extension) | $3,000,000 | Received upon contract signing |
| Career NHL Earnings (through 2025-26) | $42,250,000 | Cumulative salary earnings |
| Projected Total Earnings (through 2026-27) | $50,750,000 | Final contract value completion |
| Endorsement Income (Estimated Annual) | $500,000 – $1,000,000 | Breitling, Monster Energy, etc. |
| Entry-Level Contract Earnings (2017-2020) | $11,250,000 | Three-year rookie deal |
| Signing Bonus (Entry-Level) | $277,500 | Rookie contract signing bonus |
Endorsements
- Breitling: Luxury Swiss watchmaker featuring Hischier as brand ambassador
- Monster Energy: Major energy drink sponsorship and partnership
- Calandra’s Bakery: Local New Jersey business partnership supporting Devils Youth Foundation
- Manchester City F.C.: Official supporter and ambassador (as an avid Premier League fan)
- NHL and New Jersey Devils: Official merchandise and promotional appearances
- Various Swiss Brands: Leveraging his status as Switzerland’s premier hockey player
Career Records
| Achievement/Record | Details | Date/Season |
| First Swiss Player Drafted 1st Overall | Historic NHL Draft achievement | June 23, 2017 |
| QMJHL Rookie of the Year | Halifax Mooseheads (86 points in 57 games) | 2016-17 Season |
| CHL Rookie of the Year | Canadian Hockey League recognition | 2017 |
| E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence | Character and excellence award | 2017 Draft |
| NHL All-Star Game Appearance | Selected as All-Star | 2020 (St. Louis) |
| Team Captain | 12th captain in Devils franchise history | Named February 20, 2021 |
| Career Goals | 181 goals through 555 games | Current (as of Dec 2025) |
| Career Points | 448 points through 555 games | Current (as of Dec 2025) |
| Single Season Goal Record | 35 goals (career high) | 2024-25 Season |
| Single Season Point Record | 80 points (career high) | 2022-23 Season |
| 400th Career Point | Reached milestone | March 1, 2025 |
| Power Play Points (2024-25) | 29 power play points | Career high power play production |
| Faceoff Wins (2024-25) | 987 faceoff wins | Career high and 2nd in NHL |
| Top 5 Swiss-Born Scoring | 435+ career points (5th all-time) | Most recent ranking |
| Playoff Appearances | 22 playoff games, 12 points | 2018 and 2023 seasons |
| Selke Trophy Consideration | Fourth-most votes for defensive forward award | 2025 |
| Hart Trophy Votes | Received four Hart Trophy votes | 2025 |
| NHL Top 50 Players | Ranked 40th in NHL Network’s top players | 2025-26 Season |
| Shooting Percentage Leader | 18.7% shooting percentage | 2024-25 Season |
FAQs
1. What makes Nico Hischier special compared to other Swiss hockey players?
Nico Hischier is special because he became the first Swiss-born player ever selected first overall in an NHL Entry Draft, breaking a significant barrier for Swiss hockey representation at the highest level. His combination of speed, skill, hockey intelligence, and two-way competitiveness exceeds that of previous Swiss players. Additionally, his role as captain of a prestigious NHL franchise and his consistent 70+ point production place him among the elite centers in the league, not just among Swiss players. His humble personality and community involvement also distinguish him as a role model within and outside hockey.
2. How did Nico Hischier compare to other top prospects in the 2017 NHL Draft class?
The 2017 NHL Draft class featured Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick as the consensus top two prospects. While some scouts preferred Patrick pre-draft, Hischier’s Halifax Mooseheads rookie season ultimately proved more dominant, and the Devils’ selection of Hischier first overall has been vindicated by his superior professional production. Through their respective NHL careers, Hischier has significantly outpaced Patrick in games played, goals, points, and career longevity. Hischier’s immediate impact as a rookie and sustained excellence throughout his career established him as the draft class’s clear winner.
3. What is Nico Hischier’s relationship with Pavel Datsyuk?
Nico Hischier has explicitly modeled his playing style after Pavel Datsyuk, a legendary two-way forward who spent most of his career with the Detroit Red Wings. Hischier wears number 13 specifically in tribute to Datsyuk, who wore that number. While they haven’t had a formal mentor-mentee relationship, Hischier has studied Datsyuk’s approach to the game—emphasizing skill, speed, intelligent positioning, and defensive responsibility alongside offensive production. The comparison is frequently made by analysts who recognize similar qualities in both players’ games.
4. How much does Nico Hischier earn annually, and is his contract still good value?
Nico Hischier earns an average of $7.25 million annually under his seven-year contract signed in October 2019, which runs through the 2026-27 season. His base salary for 2025-26 is $8 million. This contract has become increasingly valuable as his production has improved and market rates for elite centers have risen significantly. Analytics firms estimate he provides approximately $3.5 million in annual surplus value, making the contract one of the most team-friendly deals for an elite center in the NHL. Upon free agency in 2027, he would likely command $10-12 million annually on the open market.
5. What endorsement deals does Nico Hischier currently have?
Nico Hischier’s primary endorsement partnerships include Breitling luxury watches (as a brand ambassador), Monster Energy drinks, and Calandra’s Bakery (a New Jersey-based business). He has also maintained associations with the NFL/New Jersey Devils for official merchandise and promotional materials. As a Swiss national sporting icon, additional opportunities exist with Swiss-based companies, though specific details are not always publicly disclosed. His Instagram presence (@nicohischier with 138,000+ followers) facilitates several sponsorship opportunities.
6. Is Nico Hischier married or in a relationship?
Nico Hischier is currently in a committed relationship with Sabrina Müller, a Swiss influencer and makeup artist. The couple has been together for several years and have adopted a poodle together named Teddy. While August 2025 social media posts generated speculation about an engagement or marriage, neither Hischier nor Müller has officially confirmed such a commitment. They maintain a relatively private personal life despite their public profiles. There are no confirmed reports of children.
7. How does Nico Hischier perform in international play for Switzerland?
Nico Hischier has represented Switzerland in multiple international competitions, including World Junior Championships and World Championships. In the 2024-25 season, he participated in the 2025 World Championship until suffering an injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the tournament. He contributed two goals and one assist in four games before the injury. Throughout his international career, Hischier has been a reliable contributor for the Swiss national team, though his participation is sometimes limited due to NHL scheduling and injury management. His development as an international player has progressed alongside his NHL evolution.
8. What was Nico Hischier’s performance in his rookie NHL season?
In his 2017-18 NHL rookie season, Nico Hischier appeared in all 82 games for the New Jersey Devils and recorded 20 goals, 32 assists, and 52 points. His consistent play earned respect from teammates and coaches, though his production was somewhat modest compared to his QMJHL dominance. The adjustment to NHL speed and competition naturally created a learning curve. However, his defensive contributions, leadership qualities, and consistency were immediately evident. He finished his rookie season with a plus-10 rating, indicating solid defensive play. This solid foundation set the stage for progressive improvement in subsequent seasons.
9. What are Nico Hischier’s career statistics compared to other elite centers?
Through 555 games as of December 2025, Nico Hischier has recorded 181 goals, 267 assists, and 448 points, averaging approximately 0.81 points per game. This pace places him well above many contemporary centers and compares favorably to Hall of Fame-caliber players. His career trajectory shows consistent improvement, with recent seasons (particularly 2022-23 and 2024-25) approaching 1.0 points-per-game average. Additionally, his two-way game and faceoff excellence add value beyond traditional scoring statistics. His combination of volume (555 games played by age 26) and rate (0.81 PPG) demonstrates both durability and effectiveness.
10. What are Nico Hischier’s realistic career trajectory and legacy projections?
Based on current trajectory, Nico Hischier is positioned to become one of the greatest Swiss-born hockey players of all time and a significant figure in New Jersey Devils franchise history. If he maintains his current production level through his contract’s conclusion (2026-27), he will accumulate over 500 career points. Long-term, he could potentially exceed 600-700 points if his career extends into his early-to-mid 30s with sustained performance. His captain’s role and character will likely secure him a place among the Devils’ most respected leaders. The primary unknown variable is injury prevention, as any significant injuries could alter his trajectory. Absent major injury, Hischier appears destined for eventual Hall of Fame consideration, particularly given his historic status as the first Swiss first-overall draft pick and his sustained excellence.