Look Back: Nico Hischier

Throughout the summer of 2023, we'll take a glance back at some of the Devils players and their 2022-23 season. This week we have a look back at the captain Nico Hischier's season:

NHL SEASON:6th overall, 6th with New Jersey

2022-23 STATS:81 GP, 31 G, 49 A, 80 PTS

LOOKING BACK:

In his fourth season as the Devils captain, Nico Hischier's career-high numbers weren't the only highlights of his 2022-23 season. Cracking 30 goals for the first time (31) and nearly hitting 50 assists (49), Hischier had a whopping 80 points, 20 more points than his previous career-high set a year prior (60 pts). He had a team-best 64 takeaways, was the team leader in shorthanded time on ice, and set a single-season franchise record in the face-off dot, taking a franchise-high 1654 draws with 891 wins.

He took his captaincy to a new level along with his flourishing numbers. Head coach Lindy Ruff suggested that Hischier's captaincy took on a new level this year in part because he was both more experienced in the role and had a new level of veteran support around him, leadership being a group effort.

For a newcomer to New Jersey, but veteran NHL player Brendan Smith, watching Hischier flourish in his role at just 24 years old has been impressive.

"He's going to be one of the best captains that I'll ever play under, and that's saying a lot with the people I've had. He wants to be the best captain and he's always asking for help," Smith said. "He comes in and prepares himself every day to be better and it's something that is infectious around the young guys and they build off that. That's what you want is your captain to be the leader. He reminds me of Nicklas Lidstrom, where he came in and he does the right things on a daily basis, then people emulate that and your team kind of grows in that way. He's a big part of this organization and we're lucky to have him."

• RELATED: Video: NJD@TBL: Hischier gives Devils lead in 2nd period

NOTEWORTHY:

It felt like it was a when not if Nico Hischier would eventually be nominated for a Selke Trophy (at the time of publication, the award has not been handed out). In his sixth NHL season, the National Hockey League took notice of Hischier's outstanding two-way game, a type of game Hischier has emphatically stated is something he works on and is proud of.

"That's my game, that's what I want to do, I grew up watching (Pavel) Datsyuk playing, he was a really good two-way forward, it's just the kind of player I want to be. I take pride in it."

The award is given to the "forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game,

And Hischier is nominated alongside Boston's Patrice Bergeron, who has won the award five times and Toronto's Mitch Marner.

QUOTE 'EM:

On moving on to the Second Round for the first time:

"I'm really happy right now. To beat the Rangers in a Game 7 at home ... I think those are memories that are going to stick forever. But it's just the first round. We want more and we believe in each other. We'll enjoy tonight and get back to business."

On having Exit Meetings in May after playoff loss:

"Just being here, out after the Second Round in mid-May, last few years it's been done for us way earlier, just being here makes me proud right now, having these interviews at this time."