- Devils captain Nico Hischier helped rescue a family of four stranded on the Aare River in Bern
- A witness called his actions “heroic,” though Hischier waved off the praise
- Read below for what happened on the river and how everyone got out safe
Nico Hischier spent a summer morning back home pulling a family out of a river.
The Devils captain was in Switzerland when a family of four got into trouble on the Aare River in Bern. Their inflatable boat became stranded near the dam at the Engehalde weir, and the two adults and two kids on board could not get themselves out of the dangerous water.
Hischier stepped in to help. He worked alongside Bern cantonal police and other bystanders to pull the family toward the footbridge and out of harm. Police got the boat ashore with a throw bag, and all four occupants came out unharmed.
Sportsnet’s Amanda Stein laid out how it unfolded:
One witness described what Hischier did as “heroic” because the family had no way out of the area on their own. The 27-year-old was not interested in the credit. He downplayed his part in it, saying he was just glad everyone made it out safe and that plenty of other people pitched in to get the family to shore, per Swiss outlet 20 Minuten.
The Aare is home turf for him. Hischier grew up in Naters, a couple hours south, and floating the river through Bern is about as Swiss as summer gets.
His team wasted no time showing some pride:
The rescue comes a little over a week after Hischier signed a five-year extension to stay in New Jersey through 2031. He has been the face of the franchise since they named him the first European-born captain in team history.
Devils fans already knew what kind of leader they had. Now a family in Bern does too.
