Hischier completing mandatory Swiss military service during offseason

Nico Hischier is making the most out of his free time during an offseason that's been extended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The New Jersey Devils forward has been fulfilling his military obligation in his native Switzerland, according to NHL.com's David Satriano. Service is mandatory for all able-bodied male Swiss citizens once they turn 18 years old.

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

The 21-year-old notes the routine is different for athletes who serve in the army, and that it's mostly just training with no access to weapons. He hasn't been given his rank yet, but he'll become a sports soldier upon his completion of service this summer.

"We didn't do that much army stuff yet," Hischier added. "It's more of wearing the right clothes when we go to the training center. They have everything there so you are really able to work out good and do your military service as well. One reason I did it was because I needed to stay in shape, because I didn't know where to go since gyms weren't open and I couldn't just work out at home."

"Because of the coronavirus, for the first four weeks we were at home, and did a home-schooling kind of thing," he continued. "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 is on track to complete his initial service in mid-August.

The 2017 first overall pick scored 14 goals and added 22 assists in 58 games this season. He inked a seven-year, $50.75-million contract in October, which kicks in next season.