The Detroit News · Jun 23, 2017
Live NHL draft blog: Devils take Nico at No. 1
(Photo: David Guralnick, Detroit News)No. 1 New Jersey, Nico Hischier, center, Halifax (QMJHL)
The 6-foot-2, 179-pound center is the third European taken No. 1 overall in the past 13 years. The Capitals’ Alexander Ovechkin was No. 1 overall in 2004 and the Oilers’ Nail Yakupov was the top pick in 2012.
Hischier is the first ever Switzerland-born player taken No. 1 overall.
"Hischier is definitely worth the price of admission," central scouting director Dan Marr said to NHL.com. "He is a player who is first on the forecheck forcing a turnover and when the play transitions, he’s the first player back. He’s in that category as a special player."