Back to the Detroit Red Wings Newsfeed

Live NHL draft blog: Devils take Nico at No. 1

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.