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Mooseheads’ Hischier magical, ‘worth the price of admission’ JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS REPORTER Published November 17, 2016 - 7:46pm Last Updated November 18, 2016 - 2:56pm NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr was so emphatic in his evaluation of Halifax Mooseheads wunderkind Nico Hischier that the veteran scout turned to the lingo of the young junior hockey players he was grading. “It’s not often I use the word impressive, but this weekend he was awesome,” Marr said with a chuckle Saturday after watching Hischier’s hat-trick performance cap his nine-point weekend. “There’s very few players that you go around and say, ‘This guy is worth the price of admission.’ And he’s one.” ... “But he hit the ground running and he hasn’t stopped. There’s points in every game, two or three times, where it’s ridiculous. Like the goal (Saturday against Charlottetown), where he flipped to the middle, cut in and found a way to put it in. It’s the game-winner and it also has everybody on the bench thinking, like, ‘What in the world is he doing?’ “It’s something you see in a bantam or a midget game, and you don’t get to see that in a (tighter-checking) major junior game. Yet he’s pulling it out of his hat. Every game, there’s more than a handful of scouts watching him.” ... Part of Hischier’s appeal is the moxie he mixes with his undeniable talent. An errant stick to the face didn’t slow his stride Saturday. It only spurred his resolve. “You just saw that he is a natural competitor,” Marr agreed. “He doesn’t take no for an answer. He doesn’t like to finish second. He doesn’t like for anybody to get the better of him. You like that type of drive and determination in a player. He does it with so much composure and smarts.” Marr watched Hischier skate with Switzerland in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial under-18 tournament last August in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. And before his Halifax visit, Marr saw the dynamic Moosehead during an October game in Quebec against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. ... “Nico is a player that we’ve been tracking for a couple of years. He’s been high on the radar. He was at the Ivan Hlinka tournament and we started him off with an A ranking right off the bat (this season). And he just continues to climb. He’s right up near the top of the rankings. He’s shown that he’s in that category of a special talent.” ... “But you watch this weekend — he’s driven, he’s relentless. So when you combine that competitiveness with his skill-set and his smarts, that’s a very appealing package for an NHL team.” ... |
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Another talented European in Halifax Swiss Nico Hischier took no time to impress recruiters Kevin Dubé Sunday, 27 November 2016 18:11 UPDATED Sunday, 27 November 2016 18:11 ... Each player is different, some Euros need a longer adjustment period before acclimatizing to the North American way. For Hischier, it was not a problem. "After three days, it was over," says his coach in Halifax, André Tourigny. In fact, he has led a number of talented players during his coaching career, but he is already saying that Hischier is coming to a separate class in terms of work ethic. "I've rarely seen such a dominant offensive player worrying so much about the defensive aspect of the game. He sometimes joins defenders to perform puck retrieval exercises on the pretext that he sometimes arrives first in the bottom of our zone. Never-seen during my coaching career. It improves day by day. His understanding of the game is exceptional for a player his age. He is a complete player like Steve Yzerman or Joe Sakic, "complimented Tourigny. ... |
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Phenomenal WJC performance puts Nico Hischier in discussion for No 1 overall in 2017 Ken Campbell By: Ken Campbell Jan 2, 2017 There are two perceptions of the World Junior Championship and they are, for the most part, accurate. The first is that it’s a 19-year-old tournament. The second is that for draft-eligible players who do play, a bad tournament won’t necessarily hurt them, but a good tournament could do wonders. Keep that in mind if somehow between now and the June 23 draft in Chicago, Nico Hischier (pronounced HEE-shur) manages to ascend to the status of No. 1 overall pick. If that happens, the seeds for that ascension will have been sown at the World Junior Championship. Hischier’s Swiss team lost a heartbreaking 3-2 game to USA in the quarterfinal, but not for lack of Hischier trying to will his team into the semifinal. He scored two brilliant power play goals and if not for absolute larceny on the part of USA goalie Tyler Parsons late in the game, Hischier would have sent the game to overtime. USA coach Bob Motzko made no secret of the fact that his team is extremely lucky to be moving on to the semifinal. He also made no secret of his admiration for Hischier. “(Hischier) was the best player we’ve seen in this tournament,” Motzko said. “We tried all four lines against him and I thought he was playing every shift because every time he got out there, the ice was tilted. It was the first thing we said when we got into the lockerroom, ‘That’s the best player we’ve seen in the tournament.’ ” Hischier finished the tournament with four goals and seven points in five games and gave scouts something to think about for the rest of the season. If Hischier can carry this performance over to the rest of his season with the Halifax Mooseheads, it would not be a stretch to suggest that Nolan Patrick’s status as the No. 1 draft prospect would be in jeopardy. Players with that kind of poise and patience around the net, combined with the speed of his feet, hands and mind, are not the kind you find everyday. ... Hischier currently sits sixth in Quebec League scoring with 23 goals and 48 points in just 31 games and he’d certainly be vying for top spot if not for the fact that he has been at the World Junior Championship. In fact, his 1.54 goals per game is second in the league only to league scoring leader and Mooseheads teammate Maxime Fortier. And Hischier certainly has a flare for the dramatic. In addition to his two goals in the semifinal, Hischier scored in overtime earlier in the tournament to lift his team to a victory over the Czech Republic and had a six-point game in the Quebec League. His talents have earned him the nickname, ‘The Swiss Connor McDavid,’ something he’s not about to encourage. “I don’t try to listen to this,” Hischier said. “I mainly try to focus on the hockey and have fun and keep working hard.” Hischier grew up idolizing Pavel Datsyuk and you can certainly see the similarities when he handles the puck. There were several times during the game when Hischier would get a chance, then jump on the rebound and create another. That was exactly what happened on his second goal, which tied the game six minutes into the third period. Hischier pulled the puck out of a mass of bodies in the crease, brought it back and shot. Then seeing that wouldn’t work, he picked up his rebound, circled the net and scored on a wraparound. Both his goals were spectacular, but it was the one he missed late in the game that will probably keep him up for a couple of nights. But don’t be surprised if Hischier ends up being named one of the tournament’s top three forwards. ... |
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Hischier outshines Patrick at prospects game, takes top player honors by Justin Cuthbert 1h ago Nolan Patrick got his hands on the trophy in the end, but it was No. 2 ranked North American skater Nico Hischier who had scouts, pundits, and fans alike buzzing after the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Quebec City. Hischier scored a gorgeous breakaway goal off a Patrick turnover with a silky backhand move and also added two assists to take top player honors in a losing effort for Team Orr. He outshone the presumptive No. 1 NHL draft choice with a dynamic offensive showcase, though Patrick, the captain for Team Cherry, did have a productive outing, collecting two assists and impressing physically. Hischier, a Halifax Mooseheads center, has picked up momentum throughout his draft season. He scored four goals and seven points in five games at the World Junior Championship, and U.S. coach Bob Motzko labeled Hischier the best player his gold medal-winning side faced in the tournament after he nearly willed Switzerland past the Americans in the quarterfinal. ... |
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Nikkanen is an intelligent, smooth skating center who had a major impact on Finland’s first line. He has very good stickhandling skills and created puck possession through smart decisions. He scored a beautiful backhand goal from a sharp angle in the third period, displaying silky smooth hands on that occasion. He was strong defensively. His reading of the play and supporting of teammates were above and beyond a 15-year-old player. Won’t be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2019 but has plenty of potential to be a big-time prospect. |
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Top 31 NHL draft rankings for 2017: No sure thing at No. 1 By: Ryan Kennedy Feb 10, 2017 There's no "generational talent" at the top of the draft this season, but there is a nice battle for the top spot between Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier. Its time for draft rankings, people, and its getting very interesting out there. The 2017 draft class has already been pilloried quite a bit this season, but I think we just have to appreciate it for what it is: a chance for teams to get better. Weve been spoiled by generational talents such as Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews lately, but that cant happen every year. Instead, we have a nice little battle shaping up at the top between Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier. And dont be surprised to see even more movement as time goes on. I have Timothy Liljegren third, but Im kinda conservative when it comes to moving top players down. Recognize that he may slide as other blueliners make their cases, or if it appears well have another run on centers at the top this summer in Chicago. Whatever happens, heres the first round as I see it right now. 1. Nolan Patrick, C, Brandon (WHL): Back from injury and from all appearances, not suffering. Patrick has the size, skill and all-around game to be an instant NHLer 2. Nico Hischier, C, Halifax (QMJHL): The high-end skills and smarts are so tantalizing. Hischier is certainly giving Patrick a run for his money and surpassing the Wheat King is not out of the question. 3. Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (SHL): Liljegren seems to be back on track after illness and a loan to Timra. His skating and offensive instincts are excellent and hes getting some nice responsibility with Rogle. 4. Gabe Vilardi, C, Windsor (OHL): Skating is the knock, but scouts are already downplaying it by hyping up his other skills. Vilardi is big, smart and talented and really, the speed isnt that bad right now. 5. Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga (OHL): A weaponized winger with size, speed and a big-time shot, Tippett doesnt have the versatility of Vilardi, but the physical tools are beguiling. 6. Klim Kostin, RW, MVD (Rus.): Surgery ended his nightmare season, but Kostin is enough of a known quantity thanks to earlier international duty. Hes a big, powerful kid with loads of talent. 7. Casey Mittelstadt, C, Eden Prairie (Minn. HS): The Minnesota commit wanted one more shot at a state title, so Mittelstadt is currently laying waste to high schoolers with Eden Prairie. Tons of skill and he put up numbers in the USHL, too. 8. Michael Rasmussen, C, Tri-City (WHL): Starting off with his nearly 6-foot-6 frame, theres a lot to like about Rasmussen. Naturally his reach is good, but his hands are also pretty sweet and he can play with an edge. 9. Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Sioux City (USHL): A wicked shot in a smaller package. The Boston College recruit is a pure goal-scorer and draws penalties with his skill. Mixed opinions out there on his feistiness. 10. Miro Heiskainen, D, HIFK (Fin.): Smooth-skating defensemen are in and Heiskanen may even challenge Liljegren for draft stock. Some scouts thought he was Finlands best blueliner at the world juniors. ... |
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Top 50 prospects for the 2017 draft Corey Pronman Special to ESPN Feb 8, 2017 ... 1) Nico Hischier, C, Halifax (QMJHL) (Previous rank: 5) 2016-17 stats: 43 GP | 37 G | 39 A Everything has been pointing in the right direction for Hischier this season. He was fantastic from the word go between juniors and international play, and he has put himself into a reasonable discussion to go first overall. He's the complete package offensively. He's a very good skater, with the ability to be dangerous due to his first step and top gear but particularly in how elusive he is. Hischier is a creative puck handler who can dictate possession with his skill. As with Patrick, his best trait is his hockey sense. He anticipates pressure well, moves the puck into the right places and outsmarts defenders. He's not a bulky guy, but he gets to the net with frequency and is a solid defensive center. Why I went with Hischier at No. 1: I'm going to anticipate the argument. "Corey likes being controversial. He put Patrik Laine ahead of Auston Matthews last summer, and now this!" You think I liked having Leafs fans hurl insults at me all last spring and summer? I'd much rather be watching baseball than having to deal with outrage. I have a duty in my view to my readers to give my best, reasoned decision no matter the public perception. On the merits of the decision, I had Patrick slotted at No. 1 most of the season, but I became uneasy about it the past few weeks. Frankly, I've been more impressed by Hischier this season on a tools level. There is a pretty significant age calculation I'm trying to make in my mind when balancing these two players. Patrick is four months older than Hischier (and has a full extra season of experience), with mildly superior performance, but that's in a small sample for Patrick, given that he missed most of the season due to injury. Last season in the WHL -- when Patrick arguably performed as well as Hischier this season, when adjusting for league -- he would have been eight months younger than the current version of Hischier. It's a tough balancing act, and I wouldn't fault anyone for picking either of them first overall. Given what's a close statistical call in my mind, the fact Hischier has looked better to my eye evaluation tilts the scale. Ultimately, I see slightly more dynamic elements in his game, to the point where I think he could potentially be an elite player in the NHL. 2) Nolan Patrick, C, Brandon (WHL) (Previous rank: 1) 2016-17 stats: 14 GP | 9 G | 14 A ... 3) Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga (OHL) (Previous rank: 11) 2016-17 stats: 47 GP | 38 G | 27 A ... 4) Eeli Tolvanen, RW, Sioux City (USHL) (Previous rank: 2) 2016-17 stats: 32 GP | 17 G | 16 A ... 5) Klim Kostin, LW, Moscow (KHL) (Previous rank: 3) 2016-17 stats: 8 GP | 0 G | 0 A ... 6) Gabriel Vilardi, C, Windsor (OHL) (Previous rank: 7) 2016-17 stats: 33 GP | 19 G | 21 A ... |
