Nico Hischier knows he has to work to make Devils

NEWARK, N.J. -- Nico Hischier, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, is happy to finally be doing what he does best at New Jersey Devils development camp this week: skating, passing and scoring goals.

Hischier (6-foot-1, 176 pounds), named the 2017 Canadian Hockey League rookie of the year after scoring 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) in 57 games for Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, reported to camp with 32 other New Jersey prospects Monday and wore No. 33 during his initial on-ice session in a Devils jersey Tuesday.
"After the draft, it was nice to be here and meet everyone and visit New Jersey (June 24-26), but now I'm happier to be at development camp and go on the ice, practice, and play hockey," Hischier said. "I'm going to take in as much as I can from this week; [the coaches] already told us some interesting things. I'm just going to work hard every day, be a better hockey player every day."
Hischier, 18, did on occasion exhibit that speed and maneuverability that helped make him the first Switzerland-born player selected with the No. 1 pick, but he expects to improve as he becomes more familiar with his surroundings during the week.
"This is just my fifth time on the ice [since the end of the season]," Hischier said. "It's always the same the first couple of practices during the summer; it's hard, and the legs weren't that good. You just keep working hard. You can't blame the legs.
"I don't look at my time here as overwhelming; I'm taking in as much as I can and having fun."

Rick Kowalsky, coach of New Jersey's American Hockey League affiliate in Binghamton, did much of the instructing during two separate sessions at Barnabas Health Hockey House on Tuesday afternoon. The players performed some drills and were put in 1-on-1 situations.
"I haven't seen him play, but the first thing I saw was his speed, and that's always a plus because at this stage you either have speed or you don't," said forward Miles Wood, who at 21 is one of the older players participating in development camp.
Hischier, who is roommates with defenseman Steven Santini for the five-day camp, hopes to work a little magic in the presence of Devils season-ticket holders when he plays for one of four teams in a 3-on-3 competition Wednesday.
"I'm really excited to play and be here in front of the fans," Hischier said. "I'm pretty pumped."
Despite being the top pick in the draft, Hischier said he understands nothing is guaranteed in terms of a roster spot this season. He could make the Devils out of training camp, or he could return to Halifax or play in Switzerland. He is not eligible to play in the AHL.
"The coaching staff has said that in order to be a pro, you have to come to practice and not just say, 'It's just a practice.' You come to the ice rink to become a better hockey player," Hischier said. "You have to know what you are going to do and not just go through the drills and not just think about what's going to help you in the game."

Paul Castron, Devils director of amateur scouting, liked what he saw from Hischier the first day of camp.
"He's got that ability in 1-on-1 drills with the way he changes speed," Castron said. "Those quick, tight turns are evident and fun to watch."
Castron said Hischier's work ethic and passion for the game are what made him so attractive to the Devils.
"A lot of people reference the effort he gave at the 2017 [IIHF] World Junior Championship but he showed that similar type of passion in Halifax all year, as well as with Switzerland on an international stage," Castron said. "His passion, effort and even his personality are infectious. He has the on- and off-ice going for him right now. Obviously, he'll have some adversity to deal with at the next level; it's not going to come easy because this is the hardest league to play in, but he'll learn."
Hischier had seven points (four goals, three assists) in five games at World Juniors for Switzerland, where he is becoming a celebrity.
"The reaction has been positive back home," said Hischier, who is from Naters. "We had a little party before I had to leave for New Jersey and it was fun. My village is not very big and it was a lot of fun there. They presented me with a Swiss watch."