New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier is having quite a week.
Just one week after signing a five-year, $58.5 million contract extension with the Devils, Hischier helped rescue a family whose inflatable boat became stranded near a dam on the Aare River in Bern, Switzerland, on Saturday, according to 20 Minuten, a Swiss news outlet.
The family of four—two adults and two children—found themselves stuck on the river, prompting police and bystanders to respond. Hischier joined the effort, helping authorities pull the family toward the Engehalde weir footbridge before police used a throw bag to bring the boat ashore. “The police were finally able to pull the boat ashore using a throw bag, and the four occupants were rescued unharmed,” Bern cantonal police said.
True to form, Hischier downplayed his role in the rescue. “In this situation, everyone is grateful for support, and we were all relieved that no one was hurt in the end,” he told 20 Minuten. A bystander described his actions as “heroic,” noting the family had been unable to get to safety on their own.
What an incredible story coming out of Switzerland this morning!#NJDevils captain Nico Hischier helped rescue a family in distress on the Aare River in Bern.
A family with two children ran into trouble when their inflatable boat became stranded near a dam, prompting a police… — Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) July 9, 2026
The rescue capped a big week for the 27-year-old captain.
On July 1, Hischier signed a five-year extension with the Devils worth $58.5 million, a deal that will pay him $14.5 million in each of the first two seasons, $12.1 million in the third, and $8.7 million in each of the final two. After signing, Hischier praised the Garden State, claiming New Jersey “has been home for me.”
Hischier, a Swiss Olympian, recorded 66 points (28 goals, 38 assists) across all 82 games last season and has totaled 488 points in 609 career games with the Devils since being drafted first overall in 2017. He was named the 12th captain in franchise history in 2021.
Whether it’s ice or water, Hischier seems to show up when it matters most. That’s true captain quality.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.