Nico Hischier talks about his military service in Switzerland

While the NHL has been on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 21-year-old New Jersey Devil Nico Hischier has been taking the time to serve his country. Hischier is taking part in mandatory military service for all able-bodied male citizens once they turn 18 in Switzerland. Hischier's service was delayed due to his NHL schedule.

"This summer is 18 weeks, and then every summer for the next 6-7 years I have to be there for three weeks, but just from Monday-Thursday, you have to be at that training center," Hischier said from Switzerland on Saturday. "If you (play in) the World Championships tournament for Switzerland, that counts as well (for up to three weeks)."

As the Devils won't be taking part in the NHL's 24-team Return to Play format, Hischier has lots of time this summer to fulfill his duty. For Athletes in the Swiss Army, it is mostly training exercises with no access to weapons.

"It's army for athletes, so we are seven hockey players together in my group," he said. "Because of the coronavirus, for the first four weeks we were at home, and did a home-schooling kind of thing. We had exercises on the computer we had to basically learn. After that, we went to a training center where the army for athletes is. We started with some 45-minute meetings where we learn [first aid]. We were there from Monday to Friday and we work out twice a day."

Hischier doesn't have a rank. However, when he is finished his training he will be considered a "sports soldier." While it may seem looser to what most people are used to when it comes to the military, Hischier says the rigid rules are still there.

"It is strict. Last week, we picked up our clothes and there you saw there was the army," he said. "We had to stand still and stuff like that. For us (athletes) it's always a little bit different because they give us more time to work out because we are able to do that athletes army thing, but from my friends … I heard of it and they make you do pushups during the night and stuff if you're too loud. You have to get up in the morning and basically be clean shaven."

Hischier was a first overall draft pick of New Jersey in 2017. Now, with three seasons under his belt, he has 51 goals and 135 points in 209 NHL games.

Source: NHL.com

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