Traded high, fell low: Hischier’s former rival faces the end of his career at the age of 25

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In North America, Nico Hischier (24) settled with a host family when he was 17. His goal at the time: he wanted to further develop in the junior league (QMJHL) with the Halifax Mooseheads to make his dream of the NHL come true. That worked. Hischier scored goal after goal, registered assist after assist, kept getting better.

It soon became clear: the teenager from Visp VS has everything it takes to become great. Someone who should go high in the NHL draft. In the draft, which is held annually by the American professional leagues (NHL, NBA, NFL, etc.), the clubs secure the rights of the most promising talents. Number one: the best. Number two: second best. Number three: third best. And so on.

Patrick has been top favorite for a long time

Based on Hischier’s performance, it was clear early on that the Swiss would end up in the top two of the draft. Only one person was rated slightly better than the Valais: Nolan Patrick (25). At the time, the Canadian was slightly more complete than Hischier, the top talent par excellence. Patrick was also considered an excellent skater with excellent technique.

In the end things turned out differently. Hischier played from strength to strength towards the end of the season and became the first Swiss player to be drafted by the New Jersey Devils. Top favorite Patrick stayed behind and, against all predictions, came second. The first surprise of his career.

Hope for a great career

It wasn’t the end of the world, after all, all top picks can dream of a great career. In Patrick’s case, this was provided in Pennsylvania. After the Philadelphia Flyers crashed, the club dreamed of a ‘rebuild’ with the then 17-year-old. It remained a dream.

Less than a month into his first NHL season, the next surprise occurred: Patrick suffered his first concussion, one of three in the next two years. Due to the head injury, he suffered from chronic migraines from then on. It was the beginning of the decline.

The center played 197 times for Philadelphia, but was not the intended cornerstone. He did not play a single game for Philadelphia in the 2019/20 season due to his health problems. “I will fight back,” Patrick said two years ago. But nothing came of it. In any case, the following year he was part of the team again, but could not assert himself and fell into a hole again.

Restart in Vegas

In 2021, the former Hischier competitor tried in vain to make a restart in Las Vegas with the Golden Knights. Even in Sin City, Patrick, who never reached an attractive level due to his injuries, was hardly used anymore. He has been without a contract since this summer.

While his once biggest competitor Nico Hischier is now captain of the New Jersey Devils, Patrick is now fighting to keep up on the ice. And against his record of offense.

Patrick denies his dismissal

Last week there was even an announcement of his resignation, Patrick has fallen so far. He denied the rumor, but at the same time did not want to answer when, where and whether he wants to continue at all.

Will the former number two draft pick ever be on the ice professionally again? People don’t know. There is hope. If his health cooperates sooner or later, Patrick’s career could have another surprise. This time with a positive one.

Source : Blick