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New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier reportedly saved a family in distress in Switzerland on Saturday, July 4
Hischier jumped in to help rescue two adults and two children who were in distress on the Aare River near Bern, according to witnesses at the scene
The Devils star’s actions were described as “heroic” by an onlooker
NHL star Nico Hischier has had a heroic offseason.
The 27-year-old New Jersey Devils captain reportedly came to the rescue of a family who was stuck in a dam in Switzerland. Hischier assisted local police on Saturday, July 4, when a four-person family became stuck in rough waters on the Aare River near Bern, according to local Swiss outlet 20 Minuten.
Two adults and two children were in distress and riding a rubber dinghy on the river, and needed assistance from local police, according to the outlet. Hischier reportedly also assisted in rescuing the family, with an onlooker describing his actions as “heroic,” per the outlet.
Nico Hischier on March 26, 2026
Credit: John Russell/NHLI via Getty
The witness said the four people in distress were “unable to leave the dangerous area on their own” and that Hischier assisted police in pulling the family to the Engehalde weir footbridge, where they were pulled from the water.
Bern police confirmed they “were finally able to pull the boat ashore using a throw bag, and the four occupants were rescued unharmed,” Blick reported.
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“In this situation, everyone is grateful for support, and we were all relieved that no one was hurt in the end,” Hischier told 20 Minuten after the rescue.
The Devils captain also told the outlet that additional people at the Aare River helped him and police rescue the family.
Devils reporter Amanda Stein said it was “the most Nico story of all time,” joking, “Knowing Nico as I do, I’m sure he’s like, ‘Oh, great, thanks, Amanda, for bringing more attention to this.'”
Before his heroic effort, Hischier signed a five-year contract extension with the Devils worth $58.5 million. Devils managing partner David Blitzer described the NHL star as someone who “puts the team before himself” in a press release announcing the extension.
“The entire organization is extremely proud that Nico wears the ‘C’ for us, and we couldn’t be happier that he’s signed this contract extension,” Blitzer added.
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