Captain's Off-Ice Heroism
Devils Captain Nico Hischier Helps Rescue Family Stranded on Aare River in Bern
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Key Points
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Days after signing a five-year, $58.5 million contract extension with the Devils on July 1, Nico Hischier helped rescue a family on the Aare River in Bern.
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A witness told 20 Minuten that Hischier assisted police during the rescue, with a reporter noting he saved the family from a predicament.
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Hischier was named the New Jersey Devils’ captain in 2021, becoming the 12th captain in franchise history.
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Authorities dispatched the Bern professional fire brigade and an ambulance as a precaution during the incident.
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A witness described Hischier’s actions as heroic, underscoring the positive reception of his off-ice leadership.
New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier rescued a family of four from a dangerous stretch of the Aare River in Bern, Switzerland, just days after signing a five-year, $58.5 million contract extension. The family's inflatable boat became stranded near the Engehalde weir — a dam where strong currents posed a serious risk — and Hischier jumped in to help, according to NY Post and Fox News.
All four occupants — two adults and two children — were pulled to safety unharmed. Authorities dispatched the Bern professional fire brigade and an ambulance as a precaution. Witnesses called Hischier's actions heroic, though he reportedly kept the focus on relief that no one was hurt.
How the Rescue Unfolded Near the Engehalde Weir
The family's inflatable raft was pulled toward the Engehalde weir, a dam on the Aare River in Bern known for powerful, dangerous currents. The boat became stranded and the family could not get themselves out of the water. Police arrived on scene and began coordinating a rescue effort, according to Fox News.
Hischier, who was in the area at the time, joined the effort alongside local police. Rescuers used a throw bag — a rope-filled pouch tossed to people in the water — to pull the boat toward shore. The fire brigade and an ambulance were also called to the scene as a safety measure, Clutch Points reported.
Witnesses Call Devils Captain a Hero on the Water
A witness told Swiss outlet 20 Minuten that Hischier actively assisted police during the rescue. The witness described his actions as heroic. NY Post noted that the report said he helped save the family from serious danger near the weir.
Hischier was modest about his role. He credited others involved in the rescue and said the most important thing was that everyone came out safe. His reaction matched what teammates and fans have long said about him: he leads quietly and puts the team — or in this case, the family — first.
From $58.5 Million Deal to Riverside Rescue in Days
The incident happened just days after July 1, when Hischier signed a five-year contract extension with the Devils worth $58.5 million. That deal locked up the team's cornerstone player through his prime years. Head Topics noted the timing, with Hischier shifting quickly from contract news to real-life heroics.
Hischier became the Devils' 12th captain in franchise history in 2021. He is widely seen as one of the NHL's best two-way centers — strong on defense and dangerous on offense. His actions in Bern reinforced a reputation that goes beyond the ice, Clutch Points reported.
Swiss Media Celebrates a Local Star's Off-Ice Leadership
Hischier grew up in Naters, Switzerland, and is one of the most famous Swiss players in NHL history. His rescue on the Aare River was picked up by multiple Swiss outlets and local media. The story added to his profile back home, where he is already considered a national hockey icon, according to Fox News.
The coverage painted a consistent picture: a humble, quietly confident leader who acts the same way off the ice as he does on it. For Devils fans, it was one more reason to feel good about the captain carrying the franchise into the future on a long-term deal.
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