NEWARK, NJ - It has been a bit of a different summer for New Jersey Devils forward Nico Hischier. As he did the summer before, he returned to his native Switzerland for the summer months, but this time around his routine had a slight change.
In Switzerland, there is an obligation to participate in military service training. There are exemptions of course, like Swiss citizens living abroad - such as Hischier. But the Devils player chose not to use that exemption, instead electing to participate with his peers.
In late-June, Hischier showed up at the Recruitment Center in Sumiswald, Switzerland to begin the recruitment process. All those involved went through a psychological assessment, medical examination, and physical assessments. He was joined by Devils goalie prospect Gilles Senn.
Instagram from @91senn: Fer z'Vaterland🇨🇭@armee.ch\_sport @jorenvp\_30 #soldat#beförderig#mäldmiab
"I am Swiss, and I want to fulfill my civic duty," Hischier told Eve Hug of the Swiss Defense Communications. "And I think it's a good thing everyone is treated the same. I like the fact that every Swiss-born goes through the recruitment process that I am now experiencing."
FEATURE: Hischier Reports for Civic Duty
In late June, Devils forward Nico Hischier began his military service recruitment process in Switzerland