Nico Hischier is used to being in the spotlight as the captain of the New Jersey Devils. But last Saturday, he found himself in a different kind of pressure situation — one that had nothing to do with hockey.
The 27-year-old Swiss center was on the Aare River in Bern when he spotted a family of four in serious trouble. Their inflatable boat had gotten pinned near a dam, and they couldn’t get themselves out of the danger zone. According to a report from Swiss outlet 20 Minuten, Hischier didn’t hesitate. He jumped in and helped the police with the rescue effort.
A bystander called it ‘heroic’
A news scout on the scene told reporters that Hischier’s actions were nothing short of heroic. The family was trapped and unable to leave the dangerous area on their own. The Bern cantonal police eventually managed to pull the boat to shore using a throw bag. None of the four family members were hurt.
“In this situation, everyone is grateful for support, and we were all relieved that no one was harmed in the end,” Hischier told 20 Minuten. He added that offering help in that moment was simply a matter of course for him.
The Bern professional fire brigade and an ambulance also showed up, but by then the worst was already over.
Hischier’s leadership reputation just got stronger
This isn’t the first time Hischier has been praised for his character. Since being named the 12th captain in Devils franchise history back in 2021, he’s built a reputation as one of the NHL’s most respected leaders. He’s known for being a two-way forward who puts the team first, and the organization has relied on him as a steady presence both on and off the ice.
And it’s not like he’s going anywhere. Earlier this month, Hischier signed a five-year contract extension that locks him in as the face of the Devils for years to come.
But for one afternoon in Switzerland, he wasn’t an NHL captain. He was just a guy who saw people in trouble and did something about it.
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