The New Jersey Devil’s newest hotshot rookie has scored his very first point in professional hockey. On Monday night, October 9, the Devils played the Buffalo Sabres at the Keybank Center and triumphed with at 6-2 finish. Brian Gibbons scored a beautiful goal thanks to Hischier’s brilliant pass, Gibbons’ first of the season.
His brilliant footwork near the boards and his quick thinking allowed Gibbons the perfect opportunity to snap the puck into the net; it all happened in the blink of an eye, almost a blur of action.
Hischier's first NHL point reminds fans of Halifax Mooseheads
Fans – and teammates, no doubt – had high hopes that Hischier would record his first NHL point during the team’s season opener on October 7. Just last season, Hischier played with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, scoring 57 goals and 87 points in the regular season and an astonishing seven points in six post-season games. This was especially impressive since Halifax wasn't even projected to make the playoffs that year.
Fans were holding their breath as he made six shots during the Devil’s first game last week, but none of them quite hit the mark.
Hischier’s first NHL goal may not have been netted on Monday either, but it sure looked like he was having fun. That pass to Gibbons and Hischier’s first point on his NHL career stirred up the young Swiss man’s emotions, obvious by the smile he wore as he celebrated the goal with his fellow Devils.
The Devils chose Hischier as first pick
Nico Hischier was beloved by the city of Halifax and fans were thrilled when he was chosen first overall at NHL draft back in June. Everyone knew that he would be one of the top picks, but whether or not Hischier or Nolan Patrick would be number one was a hot topic of debate. The Devils snatched him up, though, and Patrick headed to Philadelphia. The Devils’ new centerman is actually the first Swiss-born player to ever be chosen first overall in the NHL draft.
Good news and hope for NHL's Devils
All of this is good news for the Devils. After the shocking announcement that Brian Boyle has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (although he is still playing through the treatment), New Jersey and its fans have newfound hope with the Devils’ strong performance in the season so far. Stefan Noesen and Marcus Johannson added to Hischier and Gibbons’ magic, and Jesper Bratt, who already led all rookies in points as the game against the Leafs opened, scored two more beautiful goals.
This 6-2 win means Jersey has won six of their seven games, already leading us to hope for a 2003 repeat and a Stanley Cup!