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Wednesday, June 28, 2017

NHL Peachy: NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK NICO HISCHIER NAMED 2017 E.J. McGUIRE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENT Annual Award Honors Late Scouting Visionary and NHL Combine Architect

Nico Hischier, selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 NHL Draft presented by adidas, has been awarded the annual E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, the National Hockey League announced today.

A native of Naters, Switzerland, the 6’1” center became the highest drafted Switzerland-born player in NHL Draft history -- surpassing Nino Niederreiter (selected 5th overall by NYI in 2010). In 2016-17, Hischier led all QMJHL rookies with 38-48—86 in 57 regular-season games and added 3-4—7 in six playoff contests with the Halifax Mooseheads. He was named the CHL and QMJHL Rookie of the Year and awarded the Mike Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL’s Best Professional Prospect.

“During the course of the 2016-17 season, Nico has represented his home country, his Halifax team and community with an integrity and humbleness that was impressive both on and off the ice,” said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. “NHL Central Scouting found that Nico fittingly displayed all the attributes that the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence signifies, making him a most deserving recipient.”

Peter Sullivan, a senior scout with NHL Central Scouting for over 20 years, will present Hischier with an engraved NHL crystal immediately following Club roll call at United Center (approximately 10 a.m. CT) on Saturday.

History
The E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence is presented annually by the League to a candidate who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.

After many years of coaching and scouting at various levels of hockey, McGuire joined the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau in 2002 as an assistant to then-Director Frank Bonello. In 2005, he assumed day-to day responsibility for the department that advanced significantly under his watch. McGuire spearheaded an operation that provided scouting and evaluation of draft-eligible players to NHL member clubs. He led a team of eight full-time and 15 part-time scouts throughout North America. Just as he brought innovation to the coaching profession throughout his career, McGuire was responsible for several advancements in the area of scouting during his nine years at the League, including the development of a new scouting technology system that brought the “art” of scouting to a whole new level. He was instrumental in raising both the effectiveness and profile of the League’s annual scouting combine. McGuire lost his short, but courageous battle with cancer in April 2011.

Past recipients

2016: Neil Doef

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